The Four Corners Abroad
f wild excitement over it. As yet the Corners had not learned the mysterious workings at
nd in line till nine, when the office of the Hof-theatre is open. If you are lucky you may not have to stand more than an hour after that, and if it is not a subscription performance, or as they call it, an abonnement, you may get a good place for a small sum. Missing y
. Corner. "I could never stand in line for hours, Helen, and sur
rd that sometimes when the Ring is to be given, the students take their blankets and camp out by eight of the evening before the tickets are to be sold. A friend told me that one student hir
have, and she resolved that as soon as they were settled in their pension she would interview Fr?ulein Bauer on her o
n a turmoil of excitement. "Frau Burg-Schmidt wants me to go to the opera with her to hear Lohengrin," she cried. "She says I shoul
t see why you shouldn't go. I suppose
hone if I can go and she will meet me in front of the theatre, or if I miss her there I have the number of the seat
er smiling. "But, Nan, you must not go
t begins at six o'clock when it
o'c
ometimes the very long ones begin as early as fo
, and when shall y
r I get back. You can save me a brodchin from supper, m
nothing before one starts out and probably be so hungry t
the motifs to me, and tell me when to look for them. She just happene
an unusual opportunity which
ill go te
Fr?ulein Bauer t
rig
t turned her attention to her dress. "I suppose I ought
d. One of your pretties
ite coat a
will be warm en
ought to wear a hat
ink Liberty scarf over your head
n the matter of going without a hat on the street. "I think you would better wear one," she decided, "and you can leave it at the wardrobe with your co
way," she said. "I will keep my eyes open and see
chmidt in it after you have been dropped at your own door. Be sure to pay the cocher for bo
, mo
better go in a cab anyhow to make sure. I don't f
ance at all and Frau Burg-Schmidt says lots of girls go alo
ood time, dear
as out and so were the other girls. "Perhaps I should have gone with her," said Mrs. Corner to herself, "for even though I am tired we c
difficulty, I am sure," she said, "and even if the Frau isn't there she knows enough German to inquire her way to
the sound of the first note of the orchestra, and for the remainder of the time was utterly lost in the fortunes of Lohengrin and Elsa, in the wonderful music, and between acts in the strange surro
when the curtain went down after
ed. "Not so short; it h
t? I can scarce
for see, they call out the
es came continued applause, tempestuous clappings of h
ners do always so," said Nan's companion. "We
en the calls and clappings went on, but that was t
d sat down, her vision still filled with the picture of Lohengrin disappearing from vi
ut a few steps from your door and you have your key, so
ot find her keys. She tried the handle of the door; it would not turn. In Munich evidently everything was closed up early. She stood wondering whether she should ring the Hausmann's bell or the one of the pension when some one passing saw the white figure standing there and ha
ing to get into her boarding-house. She pressed the electric button under the name of the pension, and
enly came forward. "Nan, Nan Corner," he exclaimed.
eople. Oh, I am so glad to see you." She explained the situation, ending with: "I know
Dr. Paul. "And you look in
er belt. "I remember," she said, a little abashed, "I took the keys from the bag and put them on the chain so as to be sure not to lose them, and I was so perfectl
stepped inside, the great door closing with
a light for me. Imagine coming home at ten o'clock a
cessity, it seems to me. I have some matches in my pocket
why I don't remember exactly in the dark," sai
recommended to me, and I think I shall be very comfortable. They speak North German, which is an advant
ll you s
e for some special course
hall see y
see a glimmer of light on the next floor. We'll
les set in line. Each candlestick bore a slip of paper. The pair examined these gravely. "Zimmer ten, Pension Bauer," read Nan. "I supp
boos," said the doctor taking the lighted
ou get out?" she asked. "I am sure the front door
to see you to
t up indefinitely." Th
ll let myself out. I will bring it to you in
te to think of your g
m afraid of the
rse not
I verily
boogy and spooky if I had to come through th
ve been the proper t
petition for a light at the very entrance. I know mother and Aunt Helen will be h
you were
t was you, and I remember it isn't the first time you've proved a friend in need. I don't forget last year. Be sure to come early to-morrow. I am wild to hear
ase all over myself. Good-ni
r?ulein Bauer's apartment. She found her mother and her Aunt Helen waiting for her. A tray on the table held rolls and butter, so
said her aunt, "so it
ut it seems as if I
to see you back safe and sound. Fr?ulein Bauer said she would h
Paris where the concierge is right at hand to let you in if necessary. I suppos
re is no light a
it is as black a
n never in the world stay here under such conditions. Su
up," retu
ed to enter a dark court and come up as dark a stairway is not to be t
great, was it, N
esently. At first I didn't believe I could ever think o
, Nan?" asked her
g with Dr. Paul Woods and the journey up-stairs
lone," said her mother. "I cannot understand how Frau Bu
g right away, so as she knew I had a key and that I was but a few steps from the door she left me. If I hadn't been so stupid as to forget about changing the keys from the bag to the chain it would have been all right. No, it wouldn't hav
acknowledged her mother. "Is he t
sorry for her, too, because it was all that wicked Ortrud's fault. The music was divine. Such an orchestra! and Knote sang like an angel; you never heard a more beautiful voice, and oh, mother, it was so perfectly fine to have Frau Burg-Schmidt explain the different motives to me and t
hat, and I am afraid I cannot allow you to go out with he
about it, for I think she is very sensitive and high-strung, and it rea
rt a young girl like you at this time of night in a foreign city." Then seeing Nan's look of distress, she added, "Howev
ueer reform frocks which look perfectly dreadful on the fat women-all sorts of funny rigs are worn. They sit around and munch chocolate or take rolls from their bags and nibble those between the acts or eat pretzels. It is the most free and easy place I ever saw. For all that, ther
go for the pure purpose of hearing the music, not to show their clothes nor to chatter with their fr
to hear them call and call for Knote and for Morena.
ting to eat anythin
me chocolate with her and I ate a piece of that. I must go to bed, for Dr. Paul is coming early to see us an
bout Lohengrin," said her m
try
or that excitable brain of hers,"
s Helen. "We can't deprive her of such jo
enjoy things with
rtion. That is the wa
father,
Yes, she i
poke. "How old is this Dr. Paul Woods?" she asked. "I have almo
e one. I've known him since he was born. His father has always been our fami
y, so I never saw much of the Woods," said Miss Helen fo
Corner sat for another half hou
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