“It is kind of you,” Verena answered, “and I know I should be very grateful. But I hope you will not think me rude if I tell you that I feel too old for such frivolities.”
“Too old!” the Duke exclaimed. “Really, Verena, you are an endless source of surprise. What exactly do you mean by that?”
“As you will know by now, I have always lived with older people, my grandfather, my mother and, of course, when she died, grandfather’s friends. I like being with older people, I do like talking seriously! I think perhaps I have now forgotten or never knew how to be young and empty-headed!”
The Duke laughed.
“What a sad story! I see we must somehow coax you into throwing away the cares of old age and being as young as you appear.”
“You will not believe me if I tell you that I am completely happy
