"We have no home at present save the broad earth, Fraeulein," I
responded.
"You cannot occupy it all," she retorted, looking roguishly up to me.
"No," I responded, "we are occupying this part of the earth at present,
but we hope soon to occupy Burgundy."
"Please leave a small patch of that fair land for Twonette and me," she
answered, in mock entreaty. After a short pause she continued:--
"It seems easier for you to ask questions than to answer them."
"Fraeulein," I responded, "your question is not easily answered. I was
born in Italy. I lived for many years in the East, and--"
"I did not ask for your biography," she said, interrupting me. I did not
notice the interruption, but continued:--
"I spent six years in your fair land of Burgundy. My mother was a
Walloon. I dearly love her people, and hope that my home may soon be
among them."
The girl's face had been slightly clouded, but when I spoke lovingly of
the Walloons, the dimples again played around her mouth and a smile
brightened her eyes.
"I also am a Walloon," she answered; "and your friend? He surely is not
Italian: he is too fair."
"The Lombards are fair," I answered, "and the Guelphs, you know, are of
Lombardy. You may have heard of the Houses of Guelph and of Pitti."
"I have often heard of them," she answered; then, after a short
silence,--"I fear I have asked too many questions." A gentle, apologetic
smile lighted her face and won me instantly. I liked her as much as I
admired her.
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