Schiller opened the door and nodded to the woman in the wool coat standing outside. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and smiled at him. "I think I'm doing much better now. Maybe you were right, Professor. Philo is already a grown man. I can't blame him for the failure of that marriage..."
"Excessively dwelling on the past has never been a good sign." Schiller shook his head. "Perhaps you should be glad that he spent twenty years freeing himself from your prejudices. He didn't follow in your footsteps and still has the courage to pursue love. That is something to be happy about."
"Although I still don't approve of him fooling around with that Mexican girl, he truly is different from the two of us. He's a born adventurer and should enjoy this world more fully... Oh, Professor, I've taken up far too much of your time. See you next time."
"It's no trouble, ma'am. It is my honor to ease your worries."
The woman turned and left. Schiller closed the door and let out a long breath. Somewhat tired, he walked over to the coffee table to clear away the teacups. Merkel came in through the back door and said, "The last bit has been taken care of, sir. We can have a cabbage feast tonight."
"Have the potatoes been put in the cellar?"
"Yes, but unfortunately, this house's cellar is too small. There's nowhere to store more vegetable seeds and flower seeds. Also, we're running low on potting soil. Perhaps we'll have to make a trip to the market tomorrow."
"I'll be busy from morning to night tomorrow. I'll have Killer Croc drive you there." Schiller made himself a cup of tea. After sitting down on the sofa and unbuttoning his suit jacket,