Just then a bell rang violently.
"Those Portuguese ladies will drive me quite mad," said Marie.

"They always ring just when I am enjoying myself ?" "When you are enjoying yourself!" said Waerli triumphantly.
"Of course," returned Marie; "I always do enjoy cleaning the oil-lamps; I always did!" "Ah, I'd forgotten the oil-lamps!" said Waerli.
"And so had I!" laughed Marie.

"Na, na, there goes that bell again! Won't they be angry! Won't they scold at me! Here, Waerli, give me my letter, and I'll be off." "I never told you I had any letter for you," remarked Waerli.

"It was entirely your own idea.

Good afternoon, Fraeulein Marie." The Portuguese ladies' bell rang again, still more passionately this time; but Marie did not seem to hear nor care.