Sorrow over the child, and homesickness, combined with weak health, proved too great a strain.
Wilhelm remained alone with the dispirited and sorrowful old father, whom he never left except for his three years' military service in the field.

Then the father, to shorten the time of separation, accompanied the army (in spite of his seventy years) as an ambulance assistant.

The following year he died, and Wilhelm was left alone in the world.
Loulou was not wanting in heart, and she had as much feeling as it is proper for an educated German girl to show.

By an involuntary movement, she held out her hand, which Wilhelm caught and kissed.

They both grew very red, and she looked wistfully at him with her eyes wet.