anything now -- she had heard the voice of the one
German in Witanbury -- and there were a good many
Germans in Witanbury -- with whom she was on really
friendly terms.

This was a certain Fritz Frohling, a pleasant elderly
man who, like herself, had been in England a long
time -- in fact in his case nearer forty than twenty
years. He was a barber and hairdresser, and did a
very flourishing business with the military gentlemen
of the garrison. So Anglicised had he and his wife
become that their son was in the British Army, where
he had got on very well, and had been promoted to
sergeant. Even among themselves, when Anna spent
an evening with them, the Frohlings generally talked
English. Still, Frohling was a German of the good
old sort; that is, he had never become naturalised.
But he was a Socialist; he did not share Anna's
enthusiasm for the Kaiser, the Kaiserine, and their
stalwart sons.

This was the first time he had ever telephoned to
her. "Is it Frau Bauer that I am addressing?"

And Anna, slightly thrilled by the unusual appellation,
answered, "Yes, yes -- it is, Herr Frohling."

"With you a talk I should like to have," said the
friendly familiar voice. "Could I this afternoon you
see?"

"Not this afternoon," answered Anna, "but this
evening, I think yes. My mistress will I ask if I an
evening free have can."

"Is it necessary her to ask?" The question was
put doubtfully.

"Yes, yes! But mind she will not. To me she is

[[35]]

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v?