He ordered some eggs, toast and a cup of black coffee and explained: "I
need some energy for work this morning. I feel dopy."
Erna smiled again and went away. She was feeling a little better. There
was always something soothing in Nielsen and his banter. And she did not
wait in the kitchen for his order, but came back to his table. Erna
rarely acted parts in Nielsen's company.
He looked up sympathetically. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but
knowing her antipathy for expressed sympathy or soft advances, remained
silent. Herr Landsmann looked in upon them. Erna flushed with her old
resentment, and the storekeeper frowned and disappeared. Nielsen
remarked the exchange. "That's it, is it?" he observed gently.
"What?"
"The boss?"