‘The only other place I know is Paris,’ she said, ‘and I can’t stand that.’

She looked with her wide, steady eyes full at Loerke. He lowered his head and averted his face.

‘Paris, no!’ he said. ‘Between the RELIGION D’AMOUR, and the latest ‘ism, and the new turning to Jesus, one had better ride on a carrousel all day. But come to Dresden. I have a studio there — I can give you work, — oh, that would be easy enough. I haven’t seen any of your things, but I believe in you. Come to Dresden — that is a fine town to be in, and as good a life as you can expect of a town. You have everything there, without the foolishness of Paris or the beer of Munich.’

He sat and looked