How delightful!" "Never mind about the letter just now," he said, waving his hand as though wishing to dismiss the subject.

"How nice to hear you singing so sweetly, Marie! Dear me, in the old days at Gruesch, how often I have heard that song of the spinning-wheels.

You have forgotten the old days, Marie, though you remember the song." "Give me my letter, Waerli, and go about your work," said Marie, pretending to be impatient.

But all the same her eyes looked extremely friendly.

There was something very winning about the hunchback's face.
"Ah, ah! Marie," he said, shaking his curly head; "I know how it is with you: you only like people in fine binding.