"If your heart beat as loud as mine, our mothers might hear them!" "But it does!" she joyfully replied, her curly head bent on one side.
"Not as mine does," he said with a sigh, laying her little hand on his heart.

He could do so in all confidence, for its spasmodic throbbing threatened to suffocate him.
"Yes indeed," she said.

"It is beating..." "So that they can hear it indoors," he added with a forced laugh.

"Do you think your dear mother has not long since read our feelings ?" "Of course she has," whispered Katharina.

"I have rarely seen her in such good spirits as since your return." "And you, you little witch ?" "I?
Of course I was glad--we all were .-- And your parents!" "Nay, nay, Katharina! What you yourself felt when we met once more, that is what I want to know." "Oh, let that pass! How can I describe such a thing ?" "Is that quite impossible ?" he asked and clasped her arm more closely in his own.