During the meal, I observed that not Minna only, but her mother also, appeared to be out of spirits.

Mr.
Keller and Fritz probably noticed the change as I did.

We were all of us more silent than usual.

It was a relief so find myself with the lovers, out in the cheerful street.
Minna seemed to want to be encouraged before she could speak to me.

I was obliged to ask in plain words if anything had happened to annoy her mother and herself.
"I hardly know how to tell you," she said.