New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-12
BERTHE and IbSe11.
ar JOHN woRNE.

higher culture. Hence IL was that he picked up
day at Sir John wardlaw's a book of plays by
somebody called II. Ibsen. some such name
The Governess had left 1t lying about. meaning no
harm. He read it and suffered soul-change-one
OF those convulsive moments of self-reveiaton
when the hollow shsms of Society fall away with
a crash and the truth stands revealed in all It's
mysterious If repeIenc beauty. AT least. that was
how il seemed Bertie.
Yet Eva not sympathetic IF you want 70
climb a high mountain hand-in- hand with a child
of l don't mind"
we creatuVes.'' he replied. 'of convention
Our engagement is like any other engagement-a
convention. 1t reeks Of propriety, We might be-
long to the middle classes. All. ah!'
Don't be foolishr' said Eva.
He flung open the windows and spread out his
hands to the view.
"Oh, the glorious freedom of the wild upland!
lie said ecstatcally. VIII you not come with me
to where the eagle soars?"
There isn't time before lunch
''Lunch What is unch?'
There will be cold roasts and the usual vese-
tables and"
Things eatr' he exclaimed bitterly. "AH
things to eati At breakfast what is there but
things to eat? And at lunch more things to eat!
And people ask us to dinner. and what do they
offer us? The conventional. soulless things
to eat-to eat-to eatr'
You'd be rather surprised if they offered you
anything else"
There you are, Surprised, That's il exactly.
There's the Philistne all overt No, can't do
that: people would be surprised If 1 wanted TO
leave this hotbouse of artificial triviaties which
we call Society and to commune the mountain
tops with some wild. unsophisticated-er-slice Of
unspoIlt humanity
Say the gamekeeper's daughter.
VERY WELL the gamekeeper's daughter-l
couldn't do it. because you'd be surprised"
NO, shouldn't: she's rather pretty" said Eva
quietly.
BERTHE coughed and had to think for moment
You said L ought to read philosophy" He was
a little grieved.
''It certainly makes you rather amusing
II feel" he replied. with dignity that was
made for better things The gamekeepers
daughter would not think amusing"
Probably not" said Eva
I'VE need not lose tempers about IT,. he
replied
Are you getting angry? 1 was smiling"
when a woman becomes sarcastic, it always
means she's losing her temper You can smile
with fury"
But one could be angry with you. she
said sweetly.
You don't take seriously. You think l
don't understand Ibsen.'
ut wouldn't be fair TO accuse anybody of that
BERTHE became naughty. You laughing at
Very well; shall consider myself free TO live
my life. l shall weave vineleaveS in my halr.
"or possible said Eva with malicious reference
You Will be sorry for that he said and LETT
her.
Outside, in the open air. he cheered up wonder
fully and walked off in the direction Of the game
mountain within easy walking distance AT lunch
he was absent: Eva said she thought he had gone
by the way" said Lord Bobby to Lady Ward
DO you think met in the village this morning as
was oTde s1 eSar an b t0 dSu theme never
why. the famous Professor Bahnh?Tl'
Never heard of him." said Sir John
Never heard of the Bahnhoff?'' exclaimed Lord
Bobby.
b. e had III met him But it's all hd1 right
English dialects. And you can't stop him now;
Eva Is glanced at Lord Bobby with smile. She
n5 8 "a gu Y as hs 3 Wa
soihg to P be T taRen in again 'i ike that t
Did you BERTHE this morning. she asked
Not since breakfast why2.
lage. He wanted 9I' stamp 2H too 5"uis' III
SNo?" said Lord Bobby. without blush. III "a
known. would have bought two 1 got a check
She tried another tack.
Lcrd Bobby was very successful in pretending
you mean speak English with a German ac-
! ssTs a1 S55s x she 5 EsPlled
His obvious desire to confuse the issue satisfied
her that her suspicious were true. and she made
It was ali right. They were all in easy chairs
pesFs the tire he a0 sdy n aP
Sogsy and holding large and foreign hat IN his
heavy White 6eaTd MS hair re wa. reckless
and he wore blue SpectacIes and scholarly stoop
fonIf Eva vat led him aPPrGach with amuse-
professor Bahnhof-Lady wardlaw"
II have frequently heard your name when have
Madame he replied. bowling low, you do fiat
She introduced him to Eva. who smiled know
ingIy.
II think have seen You often before" she said.
seen you alasi'
Are you quite sureT'
Madame. would it be possible to be forgotten
you don't do the accent badly" she said. but
the politeneS is exaggerated
Lady Wardlaw seemed surprised. and the pro-
You will have some tea 80 said Lady wardlaw.
'.Perhars the professor would prefer beerY' said
Again Lady wardlaw looked at her.
is goot aPerze o En nS Me SPREAD out
''Aber." said Eva. 'das beer is gcoter"
Madame does speak our language?" said the
professor, little annoyed at what appeared TO be
only inst enough to make myself understood De-
DO you take sugar. she asked.
.Ach yes 4 you please
The Poof prd las drew sack saa n alarm
You know" Eva went on. you have always
said il tends to exaggerate the figure ;,
wildered ''-1
oh yes you dor Eva replied gsyly while Lady
Wsrdlaw wondered whether she could be repri-
m@nded a. and sent off to bed She decided 10 get
Miss Rowen is only a-a-fenperance reformer,
professor
The professor smiled vaguely and said he took
sugar
Eva nodded approvingly.
BY the way. professor, what do you profess this
timer
Eva" exclaimed Lady Wardlaw.
II am professor Of language and letters you mar
read my leetle work?'-
II have read good mary Of your letters. OF
course. They most interesting The professor
bowed.
7 believe" said Eva. that you take great IT.
terest in Ibsen?"
"Ach!' he replied Herr Ibsen is great friend of
me-a wonderful man. In zis country you do not
oh yes. we doE' said Eva looking at him