MÄZLI

A STORY OF THE SWISS VALLEYS

BY

JOHANNA SPYRI

AUTHOR OF "HEIDI, CORNELLI", ETC. 

TRANSLATED BY

ELISABETH P. STORK

1921

FOREWORD

The present story is the third by Madame Spyri to appear in this series. For many years the author was known almost entirely for her Alpineclassic, "Heidi". The publication of a second story, "Cornelli", duringthe past year was so favorably received as to assure success for afurther venture. 

"Mäzli" may be pronounced the most natural and one of the mostentertaining of Madame Spyri's creations. The atmosphere is created byan old Swiss castle and by the romantic associations of the noble familywho lived there. Plot interest is supplied in abundance by the childrenof the Bergmann family with varying characters and interests. A morecharming group of young people and a more wise and affectionate motherwould be hard to find. Every figure is individual and true to life, withhis or her special virtues and foibles, so that any grown person whopicks up the volume will find it a world in miniature and will watcheagerly for the special characteristics of each child to reappear. Naturalness, generosity, and forbearance are shown throughout not byprecept but by example. The story is at once entertaining, healthy, and, in the best sense of a word often misused, sweet. Insipid books do noone any good, but few readers of whatever age they may be will fail toenjoy and be the better for Mäzli. 

It may save trouble to give here a summary of the Bergmann household. The mother is sometimes called Mrs. Rector, on account of her being thewidow of a former rector of the parish, and sometimes Mrs. Maxa, toavoid confusion with the wife of the present rector. It is as if therewere two Mrs. John Smiths, one of whom is called Mrs. Helen; Maxabeing, of course, a feminine Christian name. Of the five children theeldest is the high-spirited, impulsive Bruno, who is just of an age to goaway to a city school. Next comes his sister Mea, whose fault is thatshe is too submissive and confiding. Kurt, the second boy, is the mostenterprising and humorous of the family; whereas, Lippo, another boy, isthe soul of obedience and formality. Most original of all is Mäzli, probably not over six, as she is too young to go to school. 

The writer of this preface knows of one family--not his own, either--which is waiting eagerly for another book by the author of"Heidi" and "Cornelli. " To this and all families desirous of a storyfull of genuine fun and genuine feeling the present volume may berecommended without qualification. 

CHARLES WHARTON STORK

CONTENTS

 I. IN NOLLA II. DIVERS WORRIES III. CASTLE WILDENSTEIN IV. AN UNEXPECTED APPARITION V. OPPRESSIVE AIR VI. NEW FRIENDS VII. THE MOTHER'S ABSENCE HAS CONSEQUENCES VIII. MÄZLI PAYS VISITS IX. IN THE CASTLE

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

"I can shout very loud, just listen: 'Mr. Castle-Steward'!"

"No, I won't do it, " said Lippo again, after scrutinizing the unusualperformance. 

She went with folded hands from one bed to the other. 

Before following her brother she wanted to see exactly what the Knightlooked like. 

He shook the little girl's hand with all his might. 

"Can you guess why I am taking you up there?"

A head was raised up and two sharp eyes were directed towards her. 

It seemed to crown all the preceding pleasures to roam without restraintin the woods and meadows. 

CHAPTER I

IN NOLLA

For nearly twenty years the fine old castle had stood silent and desertedon the mountain-side. In its neighborhood not a sound could be heardexcept the twittering of the birds and the soughing of the oldpine-trees. On bright summer evenings the swallows whizzed as beforeabout the corner gables, but no more merry eyes looked down from thebalconies to the green meadows and richly laden apple trees in thevalley. 

But just now two merry eyes were searchingly raised to the castle fromthe meadow below, as if they might discover something extraordinarybehind the fast-closed shutters. 

"Mea, come quick, " the young spy exclaimed excitedly, "look! Now it'sopening. " Mea, who was sitting on the bench under the large apple tree, with a book, put aside the volume and came running. 

"Look, look! Now it's moving, " her brother continued with growingsuspense. "It's the arm of a black coat; wait, soon the whole shutterwill be opened. "

At this moment a black object lifted itself and soared up to the tower. 

"It was only a bird, a large black-bird, " said the disappointed Mea. "You have called me at least twenty times already; every time you thinkthat the shutters will open, and they never do. You can call as often asyou please from now on, I shall certainly not come again. "

"I know they will open some day, " the boy asserted firmly, "only we can'ttell just when; but it might be any time. If only stiff old Trius wouldanswer the questions we ask him! He knows everything that is going on upthere. But the old crosspatch never says a word when one comes near himto talk; all he does is to come along with his big stick. He naturallydoesn't want anybody to know what is happening up there, but everybody inschool knows that a ghost wanders about and sighs through the pinetrees. "

"Mother has said more than once that nothing is going on there at all. She doesn't want you to talk about the ghost with the school-children, and she has asked you not to try to find out what they know about it. You know, too, that mother wants you to call the castle watchman Mr. Trius and not just Trius. "

"Oh, yes, I'll call him Mr. Trius, but I'll make up such a song abouthim that everybody will know who it is about, " Kurt said threateningly. 

"How can he help it when there is no ghost in Wildenstein about which hecould tell you tales, " Mea remarked. 

"Oh, he has enough to tell, " Kurt eagerly continued. "Many wonderfulthings must have happened in a castle that is a thousand years old. Heknows them all and could tell us, but his only answer to every questionis a beating. You know, Mea, that I do not believe in ghosts or spirits. But it is so exciting to imagine that an old, old Baron of Wallerstättenmight wander around the battlements in his armor. I love to imagine himstanding under the old pine trees with wild eyes and threateninggestures. I love to think of fighting him, or telling him that I am notafraid. "

"Oh, yes, I am sure you would run away if the armoured knight with hiswild eyes should come nearer, " said Mea. "It is never hard to be bravewhen one is as far away from danger as you are now. "

"Oho! so you think I would be afraid of a ghost, " Kurt exclaimedlaughing. "I am sure that the ghost would rather run away from me if Ishouted at him very loudly. I shall make a song about him soon and thenwe'll go up and sing it for him. All my school friends want to go withme; Max, Hans and Clevi, his sister. You must come, too, Mea, and thenyou'll see how the ghost will sneak away as soon as we scream at him andsing awfully loud. "

"But, Kurt, how can a ghost, which doesn't exist, sneak away?" Meaexclaimed. "With all your wild ideas about fighting, you seem to reallybelieve that there is a ghost in Wildenstein. "

"You must understand, Mea, that this is only to prove that there isnone, " Kurt eagerly went on. "A real ghost could rush towards us, madwith rage, if we challenged him that way. You will see what happens. Itwill be a great triumph for me to prove to all the school and the villagepeople that there is no restless ghost who wanders around Wildenstein. "

"No, I shan't see it, because I won't come. Mother does not want us tohave anything to do with this story, you know that, Kurt! Oh, here comesElvira! I must speak to her. "

With these words Mea suddenly flew down the mountainside. A girl of herown age was slowly coming up the incline. It was hard to tell if thismeasured walk was natural to her or was necessary to preserve thebeautiful red and blue flowers on her little hat, which were not able tostand much commotion. It was clearly evident, however, that theapproaching girl had no intention of changing her pace, despite the factthat she must have noticed long ago the friend who was hurrying towardsher. 

"She certainly could move her proud stilts a little quicker when she seeshow Mea is running, " Kurt said angrily. "Mea shouldn't do it. Oh, well, I shall make a song about Elvira that she won't ever forget. "

Kurt now ran away, too, but in the opposite direction, where he haddiscovered his mother. She was standing before a rose bush from whichshe was cutting faded blossoms and twigs. Kurt was glad to find hismother busy with work which did not occupy her thoughts, as he oftenlonged for such an opportunity without success. Whenever he was eager todiscuss his special problems thoroughly and without being interrupted, his young brother and sister were sure to intrude with their questions, or the two elder children needed her advice at the same moment. So Kurtrushed into the garden to take advantage of this unusual opportunity. But today again he was not destined to have his object fulfilled. Beforehe reached his mother, a woman approached her from the other side, andboth entered immediately into a lively conversation. If it had beensomebody else than his special old friend Mrs. Apollonie, Kurt wouldhave felt very angry indeed. But this woman had gained great distinctionin Kurt's eyes by being well acquainted with the old caretaker of thecastle; so he always had a hope of hearing from her many things that werehappening there. 

To his great satisfaction he heard Mrs. Apollonie say on his approach:"No, no, Mrs. Rector, old Trius does not open any windows in vain; hehas not opened any for nearly twenty years. "

"He might want to wipe away the dust for once in his life; it's abouttime, " Kurt's mother replied. "I don't believe the master has returned. "

"Why should the tower windows, where the master always lived, be openedthen? Something unusual has happened, " said Mrs. Apolloniesignificantly. 

"The ghost of Wildenstein might have pushed them open, " Kurt quicklyasserted. 

"Kurt, can't you stop talking about this story? It is only an inventionof people who are not contented with one misfortune but must make up anadded terror, " the mother said with animation. "You know, Kurt, that Ifeel sorry about this foolish tale and want you to pay no attention toit. "

"But mother, I only want to support you; I want to help you get rid ofpeople's superstitions and to prove to them that there is no ghost inWildenstein, " Kurt assured her. 

"Yes, yes, if only one did not know how the brothers--"

"No, Apollonie, " the rector's widow interrupted her, "you least of allshould support the belief in these apparitions. Everybody knows that youlived in the castle more than twenty years, and so people think that youknow what is going on. You realize well enough that all the talk has nofoundation whatever. "

Mrs. Apollonie lightly shrugged her shoulders, but said no more. 

"But, mother, what can the talk come from then, when there is nofoundation for it, as you say?" asked Kurt, who could not let the matterrest. 

"There is no real foundation for the talk, " the mother replied, "and noone of all those who talk has ever seen the apparition with his own eyes. It is always other people who tell, and those have been told again byothers, that something uncanny has been seen at the castle. The talkfirst started from a misfortune which happened years ago, and later onthe matter came up and people thought a similar misfortune had takenplace again. Although this was an absolutely false report, all the oldstories were brought up again and the talk became livelier than ever. But people who know better should be very emphatic in suppressing it. "

"What was the misfortune that happened long ago in the castle and thenagain?" Kurt asked in great suspense. 

"I have no time to tell you now, Kurt, " the mother declared decisively. "You have to attend to your school work and I to other affairs. When Ihave you all together quietly some evening I shall tell you about thosebygone times. It will be better for you to know than to muse about allthe reports you hear. You are most active of all in that, Kurt, and I donot like it; so I hope that you will let the matter rest as soon as youhave understood how unfounded the talk really is. Come now, Apollonie, and I will give you the plants you wanted. I am so glad to be able tolet you have some of my geraniums. You keep your little flower garden insuch perfect order that it is a pleasure to see it. "

During the foregoing speeches Apollonie's face had clearly expresseddisagreement with what had been said; she had, however, too much respectfor the lady to utter her doubts. Bright sunshine spread itself over herfeatures now, because her flower garden was her greatest pride and joy. 

"Yes, yes, Mrs. Rector, it is a beautiful thing to raise flowers, " shesaid, nodding her head. "They always do their duty, and if one grows alittle to one side, I can put a stick beside it and it grows straightagain as it ought to. If only the child were like that, then I shouldhave no more cares. But she only has her own ideas in her head, and suchstrange whims that it would be hard to tell where they come from. "

"There is nothing bad about having her own ideas, " replied the rector'swidow. "It naturally depends on what kind of ideas they are. It seemsto me that Loneli is a good-natured child, who is easily led. Allchildren need guidance. What special whims does Loneli have?"

"Oh, Mrs. Rector, nobody knows what things the child might do, "Apollonie said eagerly. "Yesterday she came home from school withglowing eyes and said to me, 'Grandmother, I should love to go to Spain. Beautiful flowers of all colors grow there and large sparkling grapes, and the sun shines down brightly on the flowers so that they glisten! Iwish I could go right away!' Just think of a ten-year-old child sayingsuch a thing. I wonder what to expect next. "

"There is nothing very terrible about that, Apollonie, " said the rector'swidow with a smile. "The child might have heard you mention Spainyourself so that it roused her imagination. She probably heard in schoolabout the country, and her wish to go there only shows that she isextremely attentive. To think out how she might get there some time is avery innocent pleasure, which you can indulge. I agree with you thatchildren should be brought up in a strict and orderly way, because theymight otherwise start on the wrong road, and nobody loves such children. But Loneli is not that kind at all. There is no child in Nolla whom Iwould rather see with my own. "

Apollonie's honest face glowed anew. "That is my greatest consolation, "she said, "and I need it. Many say to me that an old woman like me isnot able to bring up and manage a little child. If you once were obligedto say to me that I had spoiled my grandchild, I should die of shame. But I know that the matter is still well, as long as you like to see thechild together with yours. Thank you ever so much now. Those will filla whole bed, " she continued, upon receiving a large bunch of plants fromher kind friend. "Please let me know if I can help in any way. I amalways at home for you, Mrs. Rector, you know that. "

Apollonie now said good-bye with renewed thanks. Carrying her largegreen bundle very carefully in order not to injure the tender littlebranches, she hurried through the garden towards the castle height. Therector's widow glanced after her thoughtfully. Apollonie was intimatelyconnected with the earliest impressions of her childhood, as well as withthe experiences of her youth, with all the people whom she had loved mostand who had stood nearest to her. Her appearance therefore alwaysbrought up many memories in Mrs. Maxa's heart. Since her husband'sdeath, when she had left the rectory in the valley and had come back toher old home, all her friends called her Mrs. Maxa to distinguish herfrom the present rector's wife of the village. She had been used to seeApollonie in her parents' house. Baroness Wallerstätten, the mistress ofthe castle at that time, had often consulted the rector as to manythings. Apollonie, a young girl then, had always been her messenger, andeveryone liked to see her at the rectory. When it was discovered howquick and able young Apollonie was, things were more and more given intoher charge at the castle. The Baroness hardly undertook anything in herhousehold without consulting Apollonie and asking her assistance. Thechildren, who were growing up, also asked many favors from her, which shewas ever ready to fulfill. The devoted, faithful servant belonged manyyears so entirely to the castle that everyone called her "CastleApollonie. "

Mrs. Maxa was suddenly interrupted in her thoughts by loud and repeatedcalls of "Mama, Mama!"

"Mama!" it sounded once more from two clear children's voices, and alittle boy and girl stood before her. "The teacher has read us a paperon which was written--" began the boy. 

"Shall I, too; shall I, too?" interrupted the girl. 

"Mäzli, " said the mother, "let Lippo finish; otherwise I can't understandwhat you want. "

"Mama, the teacher has read us a paper, on which was written that in Silson the mountain--"

"Shall I, too? Shall I, too?" Mäzli, his sister, interrupted again. 

"Be quiet, Mäzli, till Lippo has finished, " the mother commanded. 

"He has said the same thing twice already and he is so slow. There hasbeen a fire in Sils on the mountain and we are to send things to thepeople. Shall I do it, too, Mama, shall I, too?" Mäzli had told it allin a single breath. 

"You didn't say it right, " Lippo retorted angrily. "You didn't startfrom the beginning. One must not start in the middle, the teacher toldus that. Now I'll tell you, Mama. The teacher has read us a paper--"

"We know that already, Lippo, " the mother remarked. "What was in thepaper?"

"In the paper was written that a big fire in Sils on the mountain hasdestroyed two houses and everything in them. Then the teacher said thatall the pupils of the class--"

"Shall I too, shall I, too?" Mäzli urged. 

"Finish a little quicker now, Lippo, " said the mother. 

"Then the teacher said that all the pupils from all the classes mustbring some of their things to give to the poor children--"

"Shall I too, Mama, shall I go right away and get together all theyneed?" Mäzli said rapidly, as if the last moment for action had arrived. 

"Yes, you can give some of your clothes and Lippo can bring some of his, "the mother said. "I shall help you, for we have plenty of time. To-morrow is Sunday and the children are sure not to bring their thingsto school before Monday, as the teacher will want to send them offhimself. "

Lippo agreed and was just beginning to repeat the exact words of theteacher in which he had asked for contributions. But he had no chance todo it. 

Kurt came running up at this moment, calling so loudly that nothing elsecould possibly be heard: "Mother, I forgot to give you a message. Brunois not coming home for supper. The Rector is climbing High Ems with himand the two other boys. They will only be home at nine o'clock. "

The mother looked a little frightened. "Are the two others his comrades, the Knippel boys?"

Kurt assented. 

"I hope everything will go well, " she continued. "When those three aretogether outside of school they always quarrel. When we came here firstI was so glad that Bruno would have them for friends, but now I am incontinual fear that they will clash. "

"Yes, mother, " Kurt asserted, "you would never have been glad of thatfriendship if you had really known them. Wherever they can harm anybodythey are sure to do it, and always behind people's backs. And Brunoalways is like a loaded gun-barrel, just a little spark and he is on fireand explodes. "

"It is time to go in, " said the mother now, taking the two youngest bythe hand. Kurt followed. It had not escaped him that an expression ofsorrow had spread over his mother's face after his words. He hated tosee his mother worried. 

"Oh, mother, " he said confidently, "there is no reason for you to beupset. If Bruno does anything to them, they are sure to give it back tohim in double measure. They'll do it in a sneaky way, because they areafraid of him in the open field. "

"Do you really think that this reassures me, Kurt?" she asked turningtowards him. Kurt now realized that his words could not exactly comforthis mother, but he felt that some help should be found, for he was alwaysable to discover such a good side to every evil, that the latter wasswallowed up. He saw an advantage now. "You know, mother, when Brunohas discharged his thunder, it is all over for good. Then he is like ascrubbed out gun-barrel, all clean and polished. Isn't that better thanif things would keep sticking there?"

Mea, standing at the open window, was beckoning to the approaching groupwith lively gestures; it meant that the time for supper was alreadyoverdue. Kurt, rushing to her side, informed her that their mother meantto tell them the story of Wallerstätten as soon as everything was quietthat night and the little ones were put to bed: "Just mark now if wewon't hear about the ghost of Wallerstätten, " he remarked at the end. Kurt was mistaken, however. Everything was still and quiet long ago, thelittle ones were in bed and the last lessons were done. But Bruno hadnot yet returned. Over and over again the mother looked at the clock. 

"You must not be afraid, mother, that they will have a quarrel, becausethe rector is with them, " Kurt said consolingly. 

Now rapid steps sounded outside, the door was violently flung open andBruno appeared, pale with rage: "Those two mean creatures, thosemalicious rascals; the sneaky hypocrites!--the--the--"

"Bruno, no more please, " the mother interrupted. "You are besideyourself. Come sit down with us and tell us what happened as soon as youfeel more quiet; but no more such words, please. "

It took a considerable time before Bruno could tell his experiencewithout breaking out again. He told them finally that the rector hadmentioned the castle of High Ems in their lessons that day. After askinghis pupils if they had ever inspected the famous ruins they had all saidno, so the rector invited the three big boys to join him in a walk to seethe castle. It was quite a distance away and they had examined the ruinsvery thoroughly. Afterwards the rector had taken them to a neighboringinn for a treat, so that it was dark already when they were walking downthe village street. "Just where the footpath, which comes from the largefarmhouse crosses the road, " Bruno continued, "Loneli came running alongwith a full milk-bottle in her arm. That scoundrel Edwin quickly put outhis foot in front of her and Loneli fell down her whole length; the milkbottle flew far off and the milk poured down the road like a small whitestream. The boys nearly choked with laughter and all I was able to dowas to give Edwin a sound box on the ear, " Bruno concluded, nearlyboiling with rage. "Such a coward! He ran right off after the Rector, who had gone ahead and had not seen it. Loneli went silently away, crying to herself. I'd like to have taken hold of both of them and giventhem proper--"

"Yes, and Loneli is sure to be scolded by her grandmother for havingspilled the milk, " Mea interrupted; "she always thinks that Loneli iscareless and that it is always her own fault when somebody harms her. She is always punished for the slightest little fault. "

"But she never defends herself, " Kurt said, half in anger, partly withpity. "If those two ever tried to harm Clevi, they would soon get theirfaces scratched; Apollonie has brought Loneli up the wrong way. "

"Should you like to see Loneli jump at a boy's face and scratch it, Kurt?" asked the mother. 

After meditating a while Kurt replied, "I guess I really shouldn't. "

"Don't you all like Loneli because she never gets rough and always isfriendly, obliging and cheerful? Her grandmother really loves her verymuch; but she is a very honest woman and worries about the child justbecause she is anxious to bring her up well. I should be extremely sorryif she scolded Loneli in the first excitement about the spilled milk. The boys should have gotten the blame, and I am sure that Apollonie willbe sorry if she hears later on what really happened. "

"I'll quickly run over and tell her about it, " Kurt suggested. Themother explained to him, however, that grandmother and grandchild wereprobably fast asleep by that time. 

"Are we going to have the story of Castle Wildenstein for a finish now?"he inquired. But his mother had already risen, pointing to the wallclock, and Kurt saw that the usual time for going to bed had passed. Asthe following day was a Sunday, he was satisfied. They generally hadquiet evenings then and there would be no interruptions to the story. Bruno, too, had now calmed down. It had softened him that his mother hadfound the Knippel boys' behaviour contemptible and that she had notexcused them in the least. He might have told the Rector about it, butsuch accusations he despised. He felt quite appeased since his motherhad shared his indignation and knew about the matter. Soon the house laypeacefully slumbering under the fragrant apple trees. The golden moonabove was going her way and seemed to look down with friendly eyes, as ifshe was gratified that the house, which was filled all day with suchnoise and lively movement, was standing there so calm and peaceful. 

CHAPTER II

DIVERS WORRIES

Before the mother went off to church on Sunday morning she always glancedinto the living-room to see if the children were quietly settled at theirdifferent occupations and to hope that everything would remain in orderduring her absence. When she looked in to-day everything was peaceful. Bruno and Mea were both sitting in a corner lost in a book, Kurt hadspread out his drawings on a table before him, and Lippo and Mäzli werebuilding on their small table a beautiful town with churches, towers andlarge palaces. The mother was thoroughly satisfied and went away. Forawhile everything was still. A bright ray of sunshine fell over Kurt'sdrawing and gaily played about on the paper. Kurt, looking up, saw howthe meadows were sparkling outside. 

"The two rascally milk-spillers from yesterday ought to be locked up forthe whole day, " Kurt suddenly exploded. 

Mea apparently had been busy with the same thought for she assented veryeagerly. The two talked over the whole affair anew and had to give ventto their indignation about the scoundrels and their pity for poor Loneli. Mäzli must have found the conversation entertaining, for glancing over tothe others, she let Lippo place the blocks whichever way he pleased, something that very seldom happened. Only when the children said no moreshe came back to her task. 

"Goodness gracious!" Kurt exclaimed suddenly, starting up from hisdrawing; "you ought to have reminded me, Mea, that we have to bring someclothes to school for the poor people whose houses were burnt up. Youheard it, but mother does not even know about it yet. "

"I forgot it, too, " said Mea quietly, continuing to read. 

"Mother knows about it long ago. I told her right away, " Lippo declared. "Teacher told us to be sure not to forget. "

"Quite right, little school fox, " Kurt replied, while he calmly kept ondrawing. As long as his mother knew about the matter he did not need tobother any more. 

But the last words had interested Mäzli very much. Throwing together thehouses, towers and churches she said to Lippo, "Come, Lippo, I knowsomething amusing we can do which will please mama, too. "

Lippo wondered what that could be, but he first laid every block neatlyaway in the big box and did not let Mäzli hurry him in the least. 

"Don't do it that way, " Mäzli called out impatiently. "Throw them all inand put on the lid. Then it's all done. "

"One must not do that, Mäzli; no one must do it that way, " Lippo saidseriously. "One ought to put in the first block and pack it before onetakes up the second. "

"Then I won't wait for you, " Mäzli declared, rapidly whisking out by thedoor. 

When Lippo had properly filled the box and set it in its right place, hequickly followed Mäzli, wondering what her plan was. But he could findher nowhere, neither in the hall nor in the garden, and he got no answerto his loud, repeated calls. Finally a reply came which soundedstrangely muffled, as if from up above, so he went up and into herbedroom. There Mäzli was sitting in the middle of a heap of clothes, herhead thrust far into a wardrobe. Apparently she was still pulling outmore things. 

"You certainly are doing something wonderful, " said Lippo, glancing withhis big eyes at the clothes on the floor. 

"I am doing the right thing, " said Mäzli now in the most decided tone. "Kurt has said that we must send the poor people some clothes, so we musttake them all out and lay together everything we don't need any more. Mama will be glad when she has no more to do about it and they can besent away to-morrow. Now get your things, too, and we'll put them all ina heap. "

The matter, however, seemed still rather doubtful to Lippo. Standingthoughtfully before all the little skirts and jackets, he felt that thiswould not be quite after his mother's wish. 

"When we want to do something with our clothes, we always have to askmother, " he began again. 

But Mäzli did not answer and only pulled out a bunch of woolen stockingsand a heavy winter cloak, spreading everything on the floor. 

"No, I won't do it, " said Lippo again, after scrutinizing the unusualperformance. 

"You don't want to do it because you are afraid it will be too muchwork, " Mäzli asserted with a face quite red with zeal. "I'll help youwhen I am done here. "

"I won't do it anyhow, " Lippo repeated resolutely; "I won't because weare not allowed to. "

Mäzli found no time to persuade him further, as she began to hunt for herheavy winter shoes, which were still in the wardrobe. But before she hadbrought them forth to the light, the door opened and the mother waslooking full of horror at the devastation. 

"But children, what a horrible disorder!" she cried out, "and on Sundaymorning, too. What has made you do it? What is this wild dry-goods shopon the floor?"

"Now, you see, Mäzli, " said Lippo, not without showing great satisfactionat having so clearly proved that he had been in the right. Mäzli triedwith all her might to prove to her mother that her intention had solelybeen to save her the work necessary to get the things together. 

But the mother now explained decidedly to the little girl that she neverneeded to undertake such actions in the future as she could not possiblyjudge which clothes she still needed and which could be given away. Mäzli was also told that such help on her part only resulted in doublework for her mother. "Besides I can see Mäzli, " the mother concluded, "that your great zeal seems to come from a wish to get rid of all thethings you don't like to wear yourself. All your woolen things, whichyou always say scratch your skin. So you do not mind if other childrenhave them, Mäzli?"

"They might like them better than to be cold, " was Mäzli's opinion. 

"Oh, mother, Mrs. Knippel is coming up the road toward our house; I amsure she is coming to see us, " said Lippo, who had gone to the window. 

"And I have not even taken my things off on account of your disorderhere, " said the mother a little frightened. "Mäzli, go and greet Mrs. Knippel and take her into the front room. Tell her that I have just comefrom church and that I shall come directly. "

Mäzli ran joyfully away; the errand seemed to please her. She receivedthe guest with excellent manners and led her into the front room to thesofa, for Mäzli knew exactly the way her mother always did. Then shegave her mother's message. 

"Very well, very well, And what do you want to do on this beautifulSunday?" the lady asked, "Take a walk, " Mäzli answered rapidly. "Are they still locked up?" shethen casually asked. 

"Who? Who? Whom do you mean?" and the lady looked somewhat disapprovinglyat the little girl. 

"Edwin and Eugen, " Mäzli answered fearlessly. 

"I should like to know where you get such ideas, " the lady said withgrowing irritation. "I should like to know why the boys should be lockedup. "

"Because they are so mean to Loneli all the time, " Mäzli declared. 

The mother entered now. To her friendly greeting she only received avery cold reply. 

"I only wonder, Mrs. Rector, " the guest began immediately in anirritated manner, "what meanness that little poison-toad of a Loneli hasspread and invented about my boys. But I wonder still more that somepeople should believe such things. "

Mrs. Maxa was very much astonished that her visitor should have alreadyheard what had taken place the night before, as she knew that her sonswould not speak of it of their own free will. 

"As long as you know about it already, I shall tell you what happened, "she said. "You have apparently been misinformed. It had nothing to dowhatever with a meanness on Loneli's part. Mäzli, please join the otherchildren and stay there till I come, " the mother interrupted herself, turning to the little girl, whose eyes had been expectantly glued on thevisitor's face in the hope of hearing if the two boys were still lockedup. 

Mäzli walked away slowly, still hoping that she would hear the newsbefore she reached the door. But Mäzli was doomed to be disappointed, asno word was spoken. Then Mrs. Maxa related the incident of the eveningbefore as it occurred. 

"That is nothing at all, " said the district attorney's wife in answer. "Those are only childish jokes. All children hold out their feetsometimes to trip each other. Such things should not be reckoned asfaults big enough to scold children for. "

"I do not agree with you, " said Mrs. Maxa. "Such kinds of jokes arevery much akin to roughness, and from small cruelties larger ones soonresult. Loneli has really suffered harm from this action, and I thinkthat joking ceases under such circumstances. "

"As I said, it is not worth the trouble of losing so many words about. Ifeel decidedly that too much fuss is made about the grandmother and thechild. Apollonie does not seem to get it out of her head that her namewas Castle-Apollonie and she carries her head so high that the child willsoon learn it from her. But I have come to talk with you about somethingmuch more important. "

The visitor now gave her listener some information that seemed to be farfrom pleasing to Mrs. Maxa, because the face of the latter became moreand more worried all the time. Mrs. Knippel and her husband had come tothe conclusion that the time had come when their sons should be sent tothe neighboring town in order to enter the lowest classes of the highschool. The Rector's teaching had been sufficient till now, but theyfelt that the boys had outgrown him and belonged to a more advancedschool. So they had decided to find a good boarding place for the threeboys together, as Bruno would naturally join them in order that theycould remain together. Since the three would, in later years, have greatauthority in the little community, it would be splendid if they wereeducated alike and could agree thoroughly in everything. "My husbandmeans to go to town in the near future and look for a suitable housewhere they can board, " the speaker concluded. "I am sure that you willbe grateful if the question is solved for Bruno, as you would otherwisebe obliged to settle it yourself. "

Frau Maxa's heart was very heavy at this news. She already saw theconsequences and pictured the terrible scenes that would result if thethree boys were obliged to live closely together. 

"The thought of sending Bruno away from home already troubles megreatly, " she said finally. "I do not see the necessity for it. Ourrector, who has offered to teach them out of pure kindness, means to keepthe boys under his care till a year from next spring. They are able tolearn plenty still from him. However, if you have resolved to send yoursons away, I shall be obliged to do the same, as the Rector could notcontinue the lessons for Bruno alone. " Mrs. Maxa declined the offer ofher visitor to look up a dwelling-place for Bruno, as she had to talk thematter over first with her brother. He was always her counsellor inthese things, because he was the children's guardian. 

The district attorney's wife did not seem gratified with thisinformation. As she was anxious to have the matter settled then andthere, she remarked rather sarcastically that a mother should be able todecide such matters alone. "The boys are sensible enough to behaveproperly without being constantly watched, " she added. "I can certainlysay that mine are, and where two hold to the right path, a third is sureto follow. "

"My eldest is never one to follow blindly, " Mrs. Maxa said withanimation. "I should not wish it either in this case. I shall keep himat home as long as it is possible for me, and after that I shall send himaway under God's protection. "

"Just as you say, " the other lady uttered, rising and taking leave. "Wecan talk the question of boarding over again another time, " she remarkedas she was going away; "when the time comes, my husband's preparation forthe future will be welcome, I am sure. "

When the mother, after escorting her guest, came back to the children'sroom, Mäzli immediately called out, "Did she say if the two are stilllocked up?"

"What are you inventing, Mäzli?" said the mother. "You probably don'tknow yourself what it means. "

"Oh, yes, I know, " Mäzli assured her. "I asked her if the boys werestill locked up because Kurt said that. "

Kurt laughed out loud: "Oh, you naughty child to talk so wild! Because Isay that those two ought to be locked up, Mäzli runs over and immediatelyasks their mother that question. "

Mrs. Maxa now understood clearly where her visitor had heard about herboy's behaviour of yesterday. 

"Mäzli, " she said admonishingly, "have you forgotten that you are not toask questions of grown-up people who come to see me?"

"But why shouldn't I ask what the locked-up children are doing?" Mäzlideclared, feigning great pity in her voice. 

"Now the foxy little thing wants to incline mother to be comforted bypretending to pity them, " Kurt declared. 

Suddenly a terrific shout of joy sounded from all voices at once as theyall called: "Uncle Phipp! Uncle Phipp!" In a moment they had disappearedthrough the door. 

Kurt jumped out through the window, which was not dangerous for him andwas the shortest way to the street. The mother also ran outside to greetUncle Phipp who was her only brother. He lived on his estate in Silsvalley, which was famous for its fruit. He was always the most welcomeguest in his sister's house. He had been away on a journey and had notmade his appearance for several weeks in Nolla, and his coming wastherefore greeted with special enthusiasm. One could hardly guess thatthere was an uncle in the midst of the mass which was moving forward andtaking up the whole breadth of the road. The five children were hangingon to him on all sides in such a way that it looked as if one solidperson was walking along on many feet. 

"Maxa, I have no hand for you as you can see, " the brother saluted her. "I greet you heartily, though, with my head, which I can still nod. "

"No, I want to have your hand, " Mrs. Maxa replied. "Lippo can let yourright hand go for a moment. How are you, Philip? Welcome home! Did youhave a pleasant journey and did you find what you were looking for?"

"All has gone to my greatest satisfaction. Forward now, young people, because I want to take off my overcoat, " the uncle commanded. "It isfilled with heavy objects which might pull me to the ground. "

Shouting with joy, the five now pushed their uncle into the house; theyhad all secretly guessed what the heavy objects in his long pockets were. When the uncle had reached the house, he insisted on taking off his coatalone in order to prevent the things from being hurt. He had to hang itup because the mother insisted that they should go to lunch and postponeeverything else till the afternoon. The next difficult and importantquestion to be settled was, who should be allowed to sit beside UnclePhilip at dinner, because those next had the best chance to talk to him. He chose the youngest two to-day. Leading him in triumph to theinviting-looking table, they placed him in their midst with joyfullysparkling eyes. It was a merry meal. The children were allowed to askhim all they wanted to and he told them so many amusing things about histravels that they could never get weary of listening. Last of all thegood things came the Sunday cake, and when that was eaten, Mäzli showedgreat signs of impatience, as if the best of all were still to come. 

"I think that Mäzli has noticed something, " said the uncle; "and one mustnever let such a small and inquisitive nose point into empty air for toolong. We must look now what my overcoat has brought back from the ship. "

Mäzli who had already jumped up from her chair seized her uncle's hand assoon as he rose. She wanted to be as close to him as possible while hewas emptying the two deep pockets. What lovely red books came out first!He presented them to Bruno and Kurt who appeared extremely pleased withtheir presents. 

"This is for mother for her mending" Mäzli called out looking withsuspense at her uncle's fingers. He was just pulling out a dainty littlesewing case. 

"You guessed wrong that time, Mäzli, " he said. "Your mother gets apresent, too, but this is for Mea, who is getting to be a young lady. She will soon visit her friends with the sewing case under her arm. "

"Oh, how lovely, uncle, how lovely!" Mea cried out, altogether enchantedwith her gift. "I wish you had brought some friends for me with you;they are hard enough to find here. "

"I promise to do that another time, Mea. To-day there was no more roomfor them in my overcoat. But now comes the most important thing of all!"and with these words the uncle pulled a large box out of each pocket. "These are for the small people, " he said, "but do not mix them up. Inone are stamping little horses, and in the other little steaming pots. Which is for Mäzli?"

"The stamping horses, " she said quickly. 

"I don't think so. Take it now and look, " said the uncle. When Lippohad received his box also, the two ran over to their table, but Mäzlisuddenly paused half-way. 

"Uncle Philip, " she asked eagerly, "has mother gotten something, too, something nice? Can I see it?"

"Yes, something very nice, " the uncle answered, "but she has not gottenit yet; one can't see it, but one can hear it. "

"Oh, a piano, " Mäzli guessed quickly. 

"No, no, Mäzli; you might see as much as that, " said the uncle. "Youcouldn't possibly guess it. It can't come out till all the small birdsare tucked into their nests and everything is still and quiet. "

Mäzli ran to her table at last and when she found a perfect array ofshining copper kettles, cooking pans and pots in her box she forgotcompletely about the horses. She dug with growing astonishment into herbox, which seemed to be filled with ever new and more marvellous objects. Lippo was standing up his beautifully saddled horses in front of him, butthe thing he liked best of all was a groom in a red jacket. He put himfirst on one horse and then on all the others, for, to the boy's greatdelight, he fitted into every saddle. He sat secure, straight andimmovable even when the horses trotted or galloped. 

Uncle Philip was less able to stand the quiet which was reigning afterthe presentation of his gifts than were the children, who were completelylost in the new marvels. He told them now that he was ready to take themall on a walk. Mäzli was ready before anyone, because she had throwneverything into her box and then with a little pushing had been able toput on the lid. This did not worry her further, so she ran towards theuncle. 

"Mäzli, you mustn't do that; no, you mustn't, " Lippo called after her. But the little girl stood already outside, holding her uncle's hand readyfor the march. Everybody else was ready, as they all had only had oneobject to put away, and the mother gave her orders to Kathy, the cook. 

"Come, Lippo, don't stay behind!" the uncle called into the room. 

"I have to finish first, then I'll come right away, " the little boycalled back. 

The mother was ready to go, too, now. "Where is Lippo?" she asked, examining her little brood. 

"He sits in there like a mole in his hole and won't come out, " said Kurt"Shall I fetch him? He'll come quickly enough then. "

"No, no, " the mother returned. "I'll attend to it. " Lippo was sitting athis little table, laying one horse after the other slowly and carefullyin the box so that they should not be damaged. 

"Come, Lippo, come! We must not let Uncle Philip wait, " the mother said. 

"But, mother, one must not leave before everything is straightened up andput into the wardrobe, " Lippo said timidly. "One must always pack upproperly. "

"That is true, but I shall help you to-day, " said the mother, and withher assistance everything was soon put in order. 

"Oh, here comes the slow-poke at last, " Kurt cried out. 

"No, you must not scold him, for Lippo did right in putting his things inorder before taking a walk, " said his mother, who had herself given himthat injunction. 

"Bravo, my god-son! I taught you that, but now we must start, " said theuncle, extending his hand to the little boy. "Where shall we go?"

"Up to the castle, " Kurt quickly suggested. Everybody was satisfied withthe plan and the mother assented eagerly, as she had intended the samething. 

"We shall go up towards the castle hill, " the uncle remarked as he setout after taking the two little ones by the hand. "We shall have to goaround the castle, won't we? If cross Mr. Trius is keeping watch, wewon't get very close to it, because the property is fenced in for a longway around. "

"Oh, we can go up on the road to the entrance, " said Kurt with animation. "We can look into the garden from there, but everything is overgrown. Onthe right is a wooden fence which we can easily climb. From there we canrun all the way up through the meadows to a thick hawthorn hedge; on theother side of that begin the bushes and behind that the woods with theold fir and pine trees, but we can't climb over it. We could easilyenough get to the castle from the woods. "

"You seem to have a very minute knowledge of the place, " said the uncle. "What does Mr. Trius say to the climbing of hedges? In the meadows thereare beautiful apple-trees as far as I remember. "

"He beats everybody he can catch, " was Kurt's information, "even if theyhave no intention of taking the apples. Whenever he sees anyone in theneighborhood of the hedge, he begins to strike out at them. "

"His intention is probably to show everybody who tries to nose aroundthat the fences are not to be climbed. Let us wait for your mother, whoknows all the little ways. She will tell us where to go. "

Uncle Philip glanced back for his sister, who had remained behind withMea and Bruno. While the uncle was amusing the younger ones, the twoothers were eagerly talking over their special problems with her, so thatthey got ahead very slowly. 

"To which side shall we go now? As you know the way so well, please tellus where to go, " said the uncle when the three had approached. 

The mother replied that Uncle Philip knew the paths as well as she, ifnot even better. As long as the decision lay with her, however, shechose the height to the left from which there was a clear view of thecastle. 

"Then we'll pass by Apollonie's cottage, " said Kurt. "I am glad! Then wecan see what Loneli is doing after yesterday's trouble. She is thenicest child in school. "

"Let us go there, " the uncle assented. "I shall be glad to see my oldfriend Apollonie again! March ahead now!"

They had soon reached the cottage at the foot of the hill, which laybathed in brilliant sunshine. Only the old apple-tree in the cornerthrew a shadow over the wooden bench beneath it and over a part of thelittle garden. Grandmother and grandchild were sitting on the benchdressed in their Sunday-best and with a book on their knees. A deliciousperfume of rosemary and mignonette filled the air from the littleflower-beds. Uncle Philip looked over the top of the hedge into thegarden. 

"Real Sunday peace is resting on everything here. Just look, Maxa!" hecalled out to his sister. "Look at the rose-hushes and the mignonette!How pleasant and charming Apollonie looks in her spotless cap and shiningapron with the apple-cheeked child beside her in her pretty dress!"

Loneli had just noticed her best friends and, jumping up from the bench, she ran to them. 

Apollonie, glancing up, now recognized the company, too. Radiant, sheapproached and invited them to step into her garden for a rest. She wasalready opening the door in order to fetch out enough chairs and benchesto seat them all when Mrs. Maxa stopped her. She told Apollonie thattheir time was already very short, as they intended to climb the hill, but they had wished to greet her on their way up and to see herwell-ordered garden. 

"How attractively it is laid out, Mrs. Apollonie!" Uncle Philipexclaimed. "This small space is as lovely as the large castle-gardenused to be. Your roses and mignonette, the cabbage, beans and beets, thelittle fountain in the corner are so charming! Your bench under theapple-tree looks most inviting. "

"Oh, Mr. Falcon, you are still as fond of joking as ever, " Apolloniereturned. "So you think that my rose-beds are as fine as those up thereused to be? Indeed, who has ever seen the like of them or of my wonderfulvegetable garden in the castle-grounds? There has never been such anabundance of cauliflower and peas, such rows of bean-poles, suchsalad-beds. What a delight their care was to me. Such a garden willnever be seen again. I have to sigh every time when I think thatanything so beautiful should be forever lost. "

"But that can't be helped, " Uncle Philip answered. "There is one greatadvantage you have here. Nobody can possibly disturb your Sunday peace. You need not throw up your hands and exclaim: 'Falcon is the worst ofall. '"

"Oh, Mr. Falcon, so you still remember, " Apollonie exclaimed. "Yes, Imust admit that the three young gentlemen have trampled down many a youngplant of mine. Still I should not mind such a thing if I only had thecare of the garden back again, but it doesn't even exist any more. Mr. Trius's only harvest is hay and apples, and that is all he wantsapparently, because he has thrown everything else out. Please do notthink that I am swimming in pure peace here because no boys are stampingdown my garden. Oh, no! It is very difficult to read my Sunday psalm inpeace when I am given such a bitter soup of grief to swallow as I gotyesterday. It keeps on burning me, and still I have to swallow it. "

"You probably mean the Knippel-soup from yesterday?" Kurt interrupted, full of lively interest. Loneli had only just told him that things hadgone very badly the day before when she had returned home all soiled fromher fall and with the empty milk-bottle. So he felt more indignant thanbefore and had immediately interpreted Apollonie's hint. "I want to tellyou, Apollonie, that it was not Loneli's fault in the least. Thoserascals enjoy sticking out their feet and seeing people tumble overthem. "

"The child can't possibly have behaved properly, Kurt, or the districtattorney's sons would not have teased her. "

"I'll fetch Bruno right away and he'll prove to you that Loneli didnothing whatever. He saw it, " Kurt cried eagerly with the intention offetching his brother, who had already started up the hill. But hismother detained him. It was not her wish to fan Bruno's rage afresh bythe discovery that Loneli had been considered guilty. She thereforenarrated the incident to Apollonie just as Bruno had reported it. 

Loneli's blue eyes glistened with joy when the story was told accordingto the truth. She knew that the words spoken by the rector's widow hadgreat weight with her grandmother. 

"Can you see now that it was not Loneli's fault?" Kurt cried out as soonas his mother had finished. 

"Yes, I see it and I am happy that it is so, " said Apollonie. "How couldone have suspected that boys who had a good education should want to hurtothers without cause? The young Falcon would never have done such athing, I know that. He only ran into the vegetable garden because histwo friends were chasing him from both sides. "

Uncle Philip laughed: "I am glad you are so just to me, Mrs. Apollonie. Even when you scolded the Falcon properly for tramping down your plants, you knew that it was not in maliciousness he did it but in self-defence. I am afraid it is time to go now" and with these words he heartily shookhis old acquaintance by the hand. The two little ones, who had neverleft his side, were ready immediately to strike out once more. 

They soon reached the hill and the castle, which was bathed in the softevening light, lay openly before them. A hushed silence reigned aboutthe gray building and the old pine trees under the tower, whose brancheslay trailing on the ground. For years no human hand had touched them. Where the blooming garden had been wild bushes and weeds covered theground. 

The mother and uncle, settling down on a tree-trunk, looked in silencetowards the castle, while the children were hunting for strawberries onthe sunny incline. 

"How terribly deserted and lonely it all looks, " Uncle Philip said aftera while. "Let us go back. When the sun is gone, it will get more drearystill. "

"Don't you notice anything, Philip?" asked his sister, taken up with herown thoughts. "Can you see that all the shutters are closed except thoseon the tower balcony? Don't you remember who used to live there?"

"Certainly I do. Mad Bruno used to live there, " the brother answered. "As his rooms alone seem to be kept in order, he might come back?"

"Why, he'll never come back, " Uncle Philip exclaimed. "You know that weheard ages ago that he is an entirely broken man and that he lay deadlysick in Malaga. Mr. Tillman, who went to Spain, must certainly knowabout it. Restless Baron Bruno has probably found his last resting-placelong ago. Why should you look for him here?"

"I only think that in that case a new owner of the place would haveturned up by now, " was his sister's opinion. "Two young members of thefamily, the children of Salo and Eleanor, are still alive. I wonderwhere these children are. They would be the sole owners after theiruncle's death. "

"They have long ago been disinherited, " the brother exclaimed. "I do notknow where they are, but I have an idea on that subject. I shall tellyou about it to-night when we are alone. Here you are so absent-minded. You throw worried looks in all directions as if you were afraid that thisperfectly solid meadow were a dangerous pond into which your little broodmight fall and lose their lives. "

The children had scattered in all directions. Bruno had gone far to oneside and was deeply immersed in a little book he had taken with him. Meahad discovered the most beautiful forget-me-nots she had ever seen in allher life, which grew in large masses beside the gurgling mountain stream. Beside herself with transport, she flew from place to place where thesmall blue flowers sparkled, for she wanted to pick them all. 

Kurt had climbed a tree and from the highest branch he could reach wassearchingly studying the castle, as if something special was to bediscovered there. Mäzli, having discovered some strawberries, had pulledLippo along with her. She wanted him to pick those she had found whileshe hunted for more in the meantime. The mother was very busy keeping aneye on them all. Kurt might become too daring in his climbing feats. Mäzli might run away too far and Lippo might put his strawberries intohis trousers-pocket as he had done once already, and cause great harm tohis little Sunday suit. 

"You fuss and worry too much about the children, " Uncle Philip said. "Just let the children simply grow, saying to them once in a while, 'Ifyou don't behave, you'll be locked up. '"

"Yes, that certainly sounds simple, " said his sister. "It is a pity youhave no brood of your own to bring up, Philip, as lively as mine, andeach child entirely different from the others, so that one has to beurged to a thing that another has to be kept from. I get the careswithout looking for them. A new great worry has come to me to-day, whicheven you won't be able to just push aside. "

Mrs. Maxa told her brother now about the morning's interview with thewife of the district attorney. She told him of the problem she had withBruno's further education, because the lessons he had been having fromthe Rector would end in the fall, and of her firm intention of keepinghim from living together with his two present comrades. The three hadnever yet come together without bringing as a result some mean deed onone side and an explosion of rage on the other. 

"Don't you think, Philip, that it will be a great care for me to thinkthat the three are living under one roof? Don't you think so yourself?"Mrs. Maxa concluded. 

"Oh, Maxa, that is an old story. There have been boys at all times whofought together and then made peace again. "

"Philip, that does not console me, " the sister answered. "That has neverbeen Bruno's way at all. He never fights that way. But it is hard totell what he might do in a fit of anger at some injustice or meanness, and that is what frightens me so. "

"His godfather of the same name has probably passed that on to him. Nobody more than you, Maxa, has always tried to wash him clean and excusehim for all his deeds of anger. In your indestructible admiration . . . "

Uncle Philip got no further, as all the children now came running towardthem. The two little ones both tried hard to put the biggeststrawberries they had found into the mouths of their mother and uncle. Mea could not hold her magnificent bunch of forget-me-nots near enough totheir eyes to be admired. The two older boys had approached, too, asthey had an announcement to make. The sun had gone down behind themountain, so they had remembered that it was time to go home. 

Mother and uncle rose from their seats and the whole group started downthe mountainside. The two little ones were gaily trotting beside theuncle, bursting into wild shouting now and then, for he made such leapsthat they flew high into the air sometimes. He held them so firmly, however, that they always reached the ground safely. 

At the entrance to the house Kurt had a brilliant idea. "Oh, mother, " hecalled out excitedly over the prospect, "tonight we must have the storyof the Wallerstätten family. It will fit so well because we were able tosee the castle today, with all its gables, embrasures and battlements. "

But the mother answered: "I am sorry to say we can't. Uncle is heretoday, and as he has to leave early tomorrow morning, I have to talk tohim tonight. You have to go to bed early, otherwise you will be tootired to get up tomorrow after your long walk. "

"Oh, what a shame, what a shame!" Kurt lamented. He was still hopingthat he would find out something in the story about the ghost ofWildenstein, despite the fact that one could not really believe in him. Sitting on the tree that afternoon, he had been lost in speculations asto where the ghost might have appeared. 

When the mother went to Mäzli's bed that night to say prayers with hershe found her still very much excited, as usual, by the happenings of theday. She always found it difficult to quiet the little girl, but to-dayshe seemed filled by very vivid impressions. Now that everything wasstill, they seemed to come back to her. 

Mäzli sat straight up in her bed with shining eyes as soon as her motherappeared. "Why was the Knippel-soup allowed to spoil Apollonie's Sundaypeace?" she cried out. 

"Where have you heard that, Mäzli?" the mother said, quite frightened. She already saw the moment before her when Mäzli would tell the districtattorney's wife that new appellation. "You must never use thatexpression any more, Mäzli. You see, nobody would be able to know whatyou mean. Kurt invented it apparently when Apollonie spoke about havingso much to swallow. He should not have said it. Do you understand, Mäzli, that you must not say it any more?"

"Yes, but why is anyone allowed to spoil Apollonie's Sunday peace?" Mäzlipersevered. Apollonie was her special friend, whom she wanted to keepfrom harm. 

"No one should do it, Mäzli, " the mother replied. It is wrong to spoilanybody's Sunday peace and no one should do it. "

"But our good God should quickly call down, 'Don't do it, don't do it!'Then they would know that they were not allowed, " was Mäzli's opinion. 

"He does it, Mäzli! He does it every time anybody does wrong, " said themother, "for the evil-doer always hears such a voice that calls out tohim: 'Don't do it, don't do it!' But sometimes he does it in spite of thevoice. Even young children like you, Mäzli, hear the voice when theyfeel like doing wrong, and they do wrong just the same. "

"I only wonder why God does not punish them right away; He ought to dothat, " Mäzli eagerly replied. 

"But He does, " said the mother. As soon as anybody has done wrong, hefeels a great weight on his heart so that he keeps on thinking, 'I wish Ihadn't done it!' Then our good God is good and merciful to him and doesnot punish him further. He gives him plenty of time to come to Him andtell Him how sorry he is to have done wrong. God gives him the chance tobeg His pardon. But if he does not do that, he is sure to be punished sothat he will do more and more evil and become more terribly unhappy allthe time. "

"I'll look out, too, now if I can hear the voice, " was Mäzli'sresolution. 

"The chief thing is to follow the voice, Mäzli, " said the mother. "Butwe must be quiet now. Say your prayers, darling, then you will soon goto sleep. "

Mäzli said her little prayer very devoutly. As there was nothing more totrouble her, she lay down and was half asleep as soon as her motherclosed the door behind her. 

She was still expected at four other little beds. Every one of thechildren had a problem to bring to her, but there was so little time leftto-day that they had to be put off till to-morrow. In fact, they wereall glad to make a little sacrifice for their beloved uncle. When shecame back into the room, she found him hurrying impatiently up and down. He could hardly wait to make his sister the announcement to which he hadalready referred several times. 

"Are you coming at last?" he called to her. "Are you not a bit curiouswhat present I have brought you?"

"Oh, Philip, I am sure it can only be a joke, " Mrs. Maxa replied. "Ishould love to know what you meant when you spoke of the children ofWallerstätten. "

"It happens to be one and the same thing, " the brother replied. "Comehere now and sit down beside me and get your mending-basket right away sothat you won't have to jump up again. I know you. You will probably runoff two or three times to the children. "

"No, Philip, to-day is Sunday and I won't mend. The children are allsleeping peacefully, so please tell me about it. "

Uncle Philip sat down quietly beside his sister and began: "As surely asI am now sitting here beside you, Maxa, so surely young Leonore ofWallerstätten was sitting beside me three days ago. I am really as sureas anything that it was Leonore's child. She is only an hour's distanceaway from you and is probably going to stay in this neighborhood for afew weeks. I wanted to bring you this news as a present. "

Mrs. Maxa first could not say a word from astonishment. 

"Are you quite sure, Philip?" she asked, wishing for an affirmation. "How could you become so sure that the child you saw was Leonore's littledaughter?"

"First of all, because nobody who has known Leonore can ever forget whatshe looked like. The child is exactly like her and looks at one just theway Leonore used to do. Secondly, the child's name was Leonore, too. Thirdly, she had the same brown curls rippling down her shoulders thather mother had, and she spoke with a voice as soft and charming. For thefifth and sixth reasons, because only Leonore could have such a child, for there could not be two people like her in the whole world. " UnclePhilip had grown very warm during these ardent proofs. 

"Please tell me exactly where and how you saw the child, " the sisterurged. 

So the brother related how he had come back three days ago from a tripand, arriving in town, had given orders in the hotel for a carriage to bebrought round to take him back to Sils that same evening. The host hadthen informed him that two ladies had just ordered a carriage to takethem to the same destination. He thought that as long as they had seemedto be strangers and were anxious to know more about the road, they wouldbe very glad to have a companion who was going the same way. So the hosthad made all necessary arrangements, as there were no objections to theplan on either side. When the carriage had driven up, he had seen thatthe ladies had with them a little daughter who was to occupy theback-seat of the carriage. 

"This daughter, as I thought, was Leonore's child. I am as certain ofthat as of my relation with you, " the brother concluded. 

Mrs. Maxa was filled with great excitement. 

Could one of the children for whom she had vainly longed and inquired forsuch long years be really so near her? Would she be able to see her? Whowere the ladies to whom she belonged?

To all her various questions the brother could only answer that theladies with whom Leonore was living came from the neighborhood ofHannover. They had taken a little villa in Sils on the mountain, whichthey had seen advertised for the summer months. He had shown the ladieshis estate in Sils and had offered to serve them in whatever way theywished. Then they had taken leave. 

Leonore's name had wakened so many happy memories of her beautifulchildhood and youth in Mrs. Maxa that she began to revive those timeswith her brother and tirelessly talked of the days they had spent theretogether with her unforgettable friend Leonore and her two cousins. Thebrother seemed just as ready to indulge in those delightful memories asshe was, and whenever she ceased, he began again to talk of all theunusual happenings and exploits that had taken place with their dearfriends. 

"Do you know, Maxa, I think we had much better playmates than yourchildren have, " he said finally. "If Bruno beats his comrades, I like itbetter than if he acted as they do. "

Brother and sister had not talked so far into the night for a long time. Nevertheless, Mrs. Maxa could not get to sleep for hours afterwards. Leonore's image with the long, brown curls and the winning expression inher eyes woke her lively desire to see the child that resembled her somuch. 

CHAPTER III

CASTLE WILDENSTEIN

When Mäzli and Lippo were neatly washed and dressed the next morning, they came downstairs to the living-room chattering in the most livelymanner. Mäzli was just telling Lippo her plans for the afternoon when heshould be back from school. The mother, after attending to some task, followed the children, who were standing around the piano. 

As soon as she entered, Kurt broke out into a frightened cry. "Oh, mother, we have forgotten all about the poor people whose houses burntdown and we were supposed to take the things with us this morning. "

"Yes, the teacher told us twice that we must not forget it, " Lippocomplained, "but I didn't forget it. "

"Don't worry, children, I have attended to it, " said the mother. "Kathyhas just gone to the school with a basket full of things. It was tooheavy for you to carry. "

"Oh, how nice and convenient it is to have a mother, " Kurt said quiterelieved. 

The mother sat down at the piano. 

"Come, let us sing our morning song, now, " she said. "We can't wait foruncle, because he might come back too late from his walk. " Opening thebook, she began to sing "The golden sun--with joy and fun. "

The children taking up the melody sang it briskly, for they knew it well. Mäzli was singing full of zeal, too, and wherever she had forgotten thewords, she did not stop, but made up some of her own. 

Two stanzas had been sung when Kurt said, "We must stop now or it willget too late. After breakfast it is time to go to school. "

The mother, assenting, rose and went to the table to fill their cups. 

But Lippo broke into a loud wail. Pulling his mother back, he cried, "Don't go! Please don't! We must finish it. We have to finish it. Comeback, mother, come back. "

She tried to loosen the grip of the boy's firm little fingers on herdress and to calm him, but she did not succeed, and he kept on cryinglouder and louder: "Come back! You said one must not leave anything halfdone. We didn't finish the song and we must do it. "

Kurt now began to cry out, too: "Let go your pincher-claws--we'll get toschool late. "

Mea's voice joined them with loud exclamation against Lippo, who wastrying hard to pull his mother back, groaning loudly all the time. 

Uncle Philip entered at this moment. 

"What on earth is going on here?" he cried loudly into the confusion. 

Everybody began to explain. 

Lippo let go his grip at last and, approaching his uncle, solicited hishelp. Kurt's voice, however, was the loudest and he got the lead intelling about Lippo's obstinacy. 

"Lippo is right, " the uncle decided. "One must finish what one hasbegun. This is a splendid principle and ought to be followed. Lippo hasinherited this from his god-father and so he shall also have his help. Come Lippo, we'll sit down and finish the song to the last word. "

"But, Uncle Philip, the song has twelve stanzas, and we have to go toschool. Lippo must go, too, " Kurt cried out in great agitation. "Hecan't get an excuse for saying that he had to finish his morning song. "

"That is true, Kurt is right, " said the uncle. "You see, Lippo, I know away out. When you sing to-night, mother must promise me to finish thesong. Then you will have sung it to the end. "

"We can't do that, " Lippo wailed. "This is a morning song and we can'tsing it at night. We must finish it now. Wait, Kurt!" he cried aloud, when he saw that the boy was taking up his school-bag. 

"What can we do? Where is your mother? Why does she run away at such amoment?" Uncle Philip cried out helplessly. "Call for your mother! Youmustn't go on like that. "

Lippo had run back to the piano and, leaning against it, was cryingbitterly. Kurt, after opening the door, called loudly for his mother ina voice that was meant to bring her from a distance. This exertionproved unnecessary, as she was standing immediately behind the door. Bruno, in order to question her about something, had drawn her out withhim. 

"Oh, mother, come in!" Kurt cried in milder accents. "Come and teach ourtwo-legged law-paragraph here to get some sense. School is going tostart in five minutes. "

The mother entered. 

"Maxa, where did you go?" the brother accosted her. "It is high time toget this boy straightened out. Just look at the way he is clutching thepiano in his trouble. He ought to be off. Kurt is right. "

The mother, sitting down on the piano-stool, took the little boy's handand pulled him towards her. 

"Come, Lippo, there is nothing to cry about, " she said calmly. "Listenwhile I explain this. It is a splendid thing to finish anything one hasbegun, but there are things that cannot be finished all at once. Thenone divides these things into separate parts and finishes part first withthe resolution to do another part the next day, and so on till it isdone. We shall say now our song has twelve stanzas and we'll sing two ofthem every morning; in that way we can finish it on the sixth day and wehave not left it unfinished at all. Can you understand, Lippo? Are youquiet now?"

"Yes, " said the little boy, looking up to his mother with an expressionof perfect satisfaction. 

The leave-taking from the uncle had to be cut extremely short. "Comesoon again, " sounded three times more from the steps, and then thechildren started off. 

The mother, looking through the window, followed them with her eyes. Shewas afraid that Kurt and Mea would leave the little one far behind onaccount of having been kept too long already, and it happened as shefeared. She saw Lippo trudging on behind with an extraordinarily fullschool-bag on his back. 

"Can you see what Lippo is carrying?" she asked her brother. 

The lid of the bag was thrust open and a thick unwieldy object which didnot fit into it was protruding. 

"What is he carrying along, I wonder? Can you see what it is?"

"I can only see a round object wrapped up in a gray paper, " her brotherreplied. "I am sure it must be something harmless. I have to say thatLippo is a wonderfully obedient and good boy and full of the best sense. As soon as one says the right word to him, he comes 'round. Why did youwait so long though, Maxa, before saying it to him?" was Uncle Philip'srather reproachful question. "Why did you run away and leave him cryingand moaning? He needed your help. What he wanted was perfectly correctbut was not just suitable at that moment, and he needed an explanation. How could you calmly run away?"

"It was just as necessary to hear Bruno's question, " the sister said. "Iknew that Lippo was in good hands. I thought naturally that you would beable to say the right word to him. You know yourself how he respectsyou. "

"Oh, yes, that is right, " Uncle Philip admitted. "It is not always easyto say the right word to a little fellow who has the right on his sideand needs to have the other side shown to him, too; he is terriblypedantic besides, and says that one can't sing a morning song in theevening, and when he began to wail in his helplessness, it made memiserable. How should one always just be able to say the right word?"

His sister smiled. 

"Do you admit now, Philip, that bringing up children is not a very simplematter?"

"There is a truth in what you say. On the other hand, it does not lookvery terrible, either, " the brother said with a glance at Mäzli, who wasquietly and peacefully sitting at the table, eating her bread and milk inthe most orderly fashion. 

She had been compelled to stop in the middle of breakfast by theexcitement caused by Lippo. It had been very thrilling, but now shecould calmly finish. 

Uncle Philip suddenly discovered that the tune set for his departure wasalready past. Taking a rapid leave of his sister, he started to rushoff, but she held him for a moment. 

"Please, Philip, try to find out for me about the little girl, to whomshe belongs, and with whom she is travelling, " she begged him eagerly. "Please do that for me! If your supposition, that she is Leonore's childis right, I simply must see her. Nobody can prevent me from seeing heronce at least. "

"We'll see, we'll see, " the brother answered hurriedly, and was gone thenext moment. 

The day had started with so much agitation and it had all taken so muchtime that Mrs. Maxa had her hands full now in order to complete the mostnecessary tasks before the children came back from school. 

Mäzli was very obedient to-day and had settled down on her little chair. She was virtuously knitting on a white rag, which was to receive a brightred border and was destined to dust Uncle Philip's desk. It was to bepresented to him on his next birthday as a great surprise. Mäzli had inher head this and many other thoughts caused by the morning's scene, soshe did not feel the same inclination to set out on trips of discovery asusual, and remained quietly sitting on her chair. Her mother wasextremely preoccupied, as could easily be seen. Her thoughts had nothingto do with either the laundry or the orders she was giving to Kathy, northe cooking apples she had sorted out in the cellar. Her hand often layimmovably on these, while she absently looked in front of her. Herthoughts were up in the castle-garden with the lovely young Leonore, andin her imagination she was wandering about with her beloved friend, singing and chattering under the sounding pine trees. 

Her brother's news had wakened all these memories very vividly. Thenagain she would sigh deeply and another communication filled her full ofanxiety. Bruno had asked her not to wait for him at dinner, as he hadresolved to stop his comrades from a wicked design and therefore wouldsurely be a trifle late. What this was and what action he meant toprevent the boy had not had time to say, for Kurt had opened the door atthat moment calling for her with his voice of thunder. All she had beenable to do was to beg Bruno, whatever happened, not to let his angerbecome his master. Sooner than the mother had expected Kurt's stepscould be heard hurriedly running into the house followed by a loud callfor her. 

"Here I am, Kurt, " sounded calmly from the living-room, where his motherhad finally settled down after her tasks, beside Mäzli's chair. "Come infirst before you try to make your announcements; or is it so dreadfullyurgent?"

Kurt had already reached his mother's side. 

"Oh, mother, when I come home from school I'm never sure if you are inthe top or the bottom of the house, " he said, "so I have to inquire inplenty of time, especially when there is so much to tell you as there isto-day. Now listen. First of all, the teacher thanks you for thepresents for the poor people. He lets you know that if you think itsuitable to send them a helmet of cardboard with a red plume, he will putit by for the present. Or did you have a special intention with it?"

"I do not understand a word of what you say, Kurt, " the mother replied. 

That moment Lippo opened the door. He was apt to come home after theolder boy, for Kurt was not obliged to wait for him after school. 

"Here comes the one who will be able to explain the precious gift yousent, mother, " said Kurt. 

Lippo, trotting cheerfully into the room, had bright red cheeks from hiswalk. The mother began by asking, "Tell me, Lippo, did you takesomething to school this morning in your school-bag for the poor peoplewhose houses were burnt?"

"Yes, mother, my helmet from Uncle Philip, " Lippo answered. 

"I see! You thought that if a poor little chap had no shirt, he would beglad to get a fine helmet with a plume for his head, " Kurt said laughing. 

"You don't need to laugh!" Lippo said, a little hurt. "Mother told usthat we must not only send things we don't want any more. So I gave thehelmet away and I should have loved to keep it. "

"Don't laugh at him, Kurt; I really told him that, " the mother affirmed. "He wanted to do right but he did not quite find the right way of doingit. If you had told me your intention, Lippo, I could have helped you todo some positive good. Next time you want to help, tell me about it, andwe'll do it together. "

"Yes, I will, " Lippo said, quite appeased. 

"Oh, mother, listen!" Kurt was continuing. "I have to tell you somethingyou won't like and we don't like either. Just think! Loneli had to siton the shame-bench to-day. But all the class is on Loneli's side. "

"But why, Kurt? The poor child!" the mother exclaimed. "What did she do?I am afraid that her honest old grandmother will take it terribly toheart. She'll be in deep sorrow about it and will probably punish Loneliagain. "

"No, indeed, she must not do that, " Kurt said eagerly. "The teacher saidhimself that he hated to put Loneli there, as she was a good and obedientchild, but that he had to keep his word. He had announced that he wastired of the constant chattering going on in the school. To stop it hehad threatened to put the first child on the shame-bench that was caught. So poor Loneli had to sit there all by herself and she cried so terriblythat we all felt sorry. But of course, mother, a person doesn't talkalone, and Loneli should not have been obliged to stay there alone. Theteacher had just asked: 'Who is talking over there? I can hear somewhispering. Who is it?' Loneli answered 'I' in a low voice, so she hadto be punished. One of her neighbors should have said 'I, ' too, ofcourse; it was perfectly evident that there was another one. "

"Loneli might have asked somebody a question which was not answered, " hismother suggested. 

"Mea will know all about it, for she followed Loneli after school. Nowmore still, mother, " Kurt continued. "Two boys from my class were beatenthis morning by Mr. Trius. Early this morning they had climbed over thecastle hedge to inspect the apples on the other side of the hedge. ButMr. Trius was already about and stood suddenly before them with hisheavy stick. In a jiffy they had a real Trius-beating, for the hedge ishigh and firm and one can't get across it quickly. Now for my fourthpiece of news. Farmer Max who lives behind the castle has told everybodythat when his father came back late yesterday night from the cattle-fairin the valley, he saw a large coach, which was right behind his own, drive into the castle-garden. He was quite certain that it went there, but nobody seems to know who was in it. So you are really listening atlast, mother! I noticed that you have been absentminded till now. Farmer Max told us something else about his father that you wouldn't likeme to repeat, I know. "

"You would not say so if it were not wrong; you had better not repeat it, Kurt, " said the mother. 

"No, indeed, it is not bad, but very strange. I can tell you though, because I don't believe it myself. Max told that his father said therewas something wrong about the coach and that he went far out of its way. The coachman looked as if he only had half a head, and his coat-collarwas rolled up terribly high in order to hide what was below. He waswildly beating the horses so that they fairly flew up the castle-hill, while sparks of fire were flying from their hoofs. "

"How can you tell such rubbish, Kurt? How should there be somethingunnatural in such a sight?" the mother scolded him. "I am sure you thinkthat the Wildenstein ghost is wandering about again. You can see everyday that horses' hoofs give out sparks when they strike stone, and to seea coachman with a rolled up collar in windy weather is not an unusualsight either. In spite of all I say to you, Kurt, you seem to do nothingbut occupy yourself with this matter. Can't you let the foolish peopletalk without repeating it all the time?"

Kurt was very glad when Mea entered at that moment, for he had reallydisobeyed his mother's repeated instructions in the matter. But hecomforted himself with the thought that he was only acting according toher ideas if he was finally able to prove to the people that the wholething was a pure invention and could get rid of the whole thing for good. 

"Why are your eyes all swollen?" he accosted his sister. 

Mea exploded now. Half angry and half complaining, she still had tofight against her tears. "Oh, mother, if you only knew how difficult itis to stay friends with Elvira. Whenever I do anything to offend her, she sulks and won't have anything to do with me for days. When I want totell her something and run towards her, speaking a little hurriedly, sheis hurt. Then she always says I spoil the flowers on her hat because Ishake them. And then she turns her back on me and won't even speak tome. "

"Indeed! I have seen that long ago, " Kurt broke in, "and I began a songabout her yesterday. It ought to be sung to her. I'll recite it to you:

 A SONG ABOUT A WELL KNOWN YOUNG LADY. 

 I know a maiden fair of face, Who mostly turns her back. All noise she thinks a great disgrace, But tricks she does not lack. 

"No, Kurt, you mustn't go on with that song, " Mea cried with indignation. 

"Mea is right when she doesn't want you to celebrate her friends in thatway, Kurt, " said the mother, "and if she asks you to, you must leaveoff. "

"But I am her brother and I do not wish to see my sister being tyranizedover and treated badly by a friend. I certainly wouldn't call her a realfriend, " Kurt eagerly exclaimed. "I should be only too glad if my songmade her so angry that she would break the friendship entirely. Therewould be nothing to mourn over. "

Mea, however, fought passionately for her friend and never gave way tillKurt had promised not to go on with his ditty. But her mother wanted toknow now what had given Mea such red eyes. So she told them that she hadfollowed Loneli in order to comfort her, for she was still crying. Loneli had told her then about being caught at chattering. Elvira, whowas Loneli's neighbor, had asked her if she would be allowed to go toSils on dedication day, next Sunday, and Loneli had answered no. ThenElvira wanted to know why not, to which Loneli had promised to give heran answer after school, as they were not allowed to talk in school. Thatmoment the teacher had questioned them and Loneli had promptly accusedherself. 

"Don't you think, mother, that Elvira should have admitted that she askedLoneli a question? Then Loneli would not have had to sit on theshame-bench alone. He might have given them both a differentpunishment, " Mea said, quite wrought up. 

"Oho! Now she sent Loneli to the shame-bench besides, and Loneli is afriend of mine!" Kurt threw in. "Now she'll get more verses after all. "

"Elvira should certainly have done so, " the mother affirmed. 

"Yes, and listen what happened afterwards, " Mea continued with more ardorthan before. "I ran from Loneli to Elvira, but I was still able to hearpoor Loneli's sobs, for she was awfully afraid to go home. She knew thatshe had to tell her grandmother about it and she was sure that that wouldbring her a terrible punishment. When I met Elvira, I told her that itwas unfair of her not to accuse herself and to let Loneli bear thepunishment alone. That made her fearfully angry. She said that I was apleasant friend indeed, if I wished this punishment and shame upon her. She should not have said that, mother, should she? I told her that thematter was easy enough for her as it was all settled for her, but not forLoneli. I asked to tell the teacher how it all happened, so that hecould say something in school and let the children know what answerLoneli had given her. Then he would see that she was innocent. ButElvira only grew angrier still and told me that she would look foranother friend, if I chose to preach to her. She said that she didn'twant to have anything to do with me from now on and, turning about, ranaway. "

"So much the better!" Kurt cried out. "Now you won't have to run humblyafter Elvira any more, as if you were always in the wrong, the way youusually do to win her precious favor. "

"Why shouldn't Mea meet her friend kindly again if she wants to, Kurt?"said the mother. "Elvira knows well enough who has been offended thistime and has broken off the friendship. She will be only too glad whenMea meets her half-way. "

Kurt was beginning another protest, but it was not heard. Lippo andMäzli arrived at that moment, loudly announcing the important news thatKathy was going to serve the soup in a moment and that the table was noteven set. 

The mother had put off preparations for dinner on purpose. During theforegoing conversation she had repeatedly glanced towards the littlegarden gate to see if Bruno was not coming, but he could not be seen yet. So she began to set the table with Mea, while Lippo, too, assisted her. The little boy knew exactly where everything belonged. He put it therein the most orderly fashion, and when Mea put a fork or spoon downquickly a little crookedly, he straightway put them perfectly straightthe way they belonged. 

Kurt laughed out loud, "Oh, Lippo, you must become an inn-keeper, thenall your tables will look as if they had been measured out with acompass. "

"Leave Lippo alone, " said the mother. "I wish you would all do yourlittle tasks as carefully as he does. "

Dinner was over and the mother was looking out towards the road ingreater anxiety, but Bruno had not come. 

"Now he comes with a big whip, " Kurt shouted suddenly. "Something musthave happened, for one does not usually need a whip in school. "

The younger boy opened the door, full of expectation. Bruno could nothelp noticing his mother's frightened expression, despite the rage he wasin, which plainly showed in his face. 

He exclaimed, as he entered, "I'll tell you right away what happened, mother, so that you won't think it was still worse. I have only whippedthem both as they deserved, that is all. "

"But, Bruno, that is bad enough. You seem to get more savage all thetime, " the mother lamented. "How could you do such a thing?"

"I'll explain it right away and then you will have to admit that it wasthe only thing to do, " Bruno assured her. "The two told me last Saturdaythat they had a scheme for to-day in which I was to join. They haddiscovered that the lovely plums in the Rector's garden were ripe andthey meant to steal them. When the Rector is through with his lessons attwelve o'clock he always goes to the front room and then nobody knew whatis going on in the garden. Their plan was to use this time to-day inorder to shake the tree and fill their pockets full of plums. I was tohelp them. I told them what a disgrace it was for them to ask me and Isaid that I would find means to prevent it. So they noisily called me atraitor and told me that accusing them was worse than stealing plums. Isaid that it wasn't my intention to tell on them, but I would come anduse my whip as soon as they touched the tree. So they laughed andsneered at me and said that they were neither afraid of me nor of mywhip. As soon as our lessons were done at twelve o'clock, they ran tothe garden and, getting the whip I had hidden in the hallway, I ran afterthem. Edwin was already half way up the tree and Eugene was justbeginning to climb it. First I only threatened and tried in that way toforce Edwin down and keep Eugene from going further. But they kept onsneering at me till Edwin had reached the first branch and was shaking itso hard that the lovely plums came spattering to the ground. I got sofurious at that that I began to beat first the boy higher up and then thelower one. First, Edwin tumbled down on top of Eugene and then they bothran away moaning, while I kept on striking them. They left the plums onthe ground and I followed them. "

"It is terrible, Bruno, that such scenes have to come up between you allthe time, " the mother lamented. "You are always the one who gets wildand loses control. It is hard to excuse that, even if your intention isgood, Bruno. I wish I could keep you boys apart. "

"It was a good thing he became furious at them to-day, mother, " Kurtremarked. "You see it shows that even two can't get the better of him. If he had not been so mad, the two would have been stronger, and our poorRector would have lost his plums. "

It was hard to tell if this explanation comforted the mother. She hadgone out with a sign to attend to Bruno's belated lunch. The time wasalready near at hand when all the children had to get back to school. 

When that same evening the little ones were happily playing and the bigchildren were busy with their school work, Kurt stole up to his mother'schair and asked her in a low voice, "Shall we have the story to-day?"

The mother nodded. "As soon as the little ones are in bed. " At thisMäzli pricked up her ears. 

When all the work was done in the evening, all the family usually playeda game together. Kurt, who was usually the first to pack up his papers, was still scribbling away after Mea had laid hers away. Looking over hisshoulder into the note-book, she exclaimed, "He is writing some versesagain! Who is the subject of your song, Kurt?"

"I'll read it to you, then you can guess yourself, " said the boy. "Thefirst verse is already written somewhere else. Now listen to thesecond. "

 She stares about with stately mien: "O ho, just look at me! If I am not acknowledged queen, I surely ought to be. "

 Her friend agrees with patient air And fastens up her shoes. Then queenie thinks: That's only fair, She couldn't well refuse. 

 But if the friend should try to show The queen her faults, look out! She'd break the friendship at a blow And straightway turn about. 

Mea had been obliged to laugh a little at first at the description of thehumble behaviour which did not seem to describe her very well. Finally, however, sad memories rose up in her. 

"Do you know, mother, " she cried out excitedly, "it is not the worst thatshe shows me her back, but that one can't ever agree with her. Everytime I find anything pleasant and good, she says the opposite, and when Isay that something is wrong and horrid, she won't be of my opinioneither. It is so hard to keep her friendship because we always seem toquarrel when I haven't the slightest desire to. "

"Just let her go. She is the same as her brothers, " said Bruno. "Inever want their friendship again, and I wish I might never have anythingmore to do with them. "

"It is better to give them things, the way you did to-day, " Kurtremarked. 

"I can understand Mea, " said the mother. "As soon as we came here shetried to get Elvira's friendship. She longs for friendship more than youdo. "

"Oh, mother, I have six or eight friends here, that is not so bad, " Kurtdeclared. 

"I couldn't say much for any of them, " Bruno said quickly. 

"It must hurt Mea, " the mother continued, "that Elvira does not seem tobe capable of friendship. You only act right in telling her what youconsider wrong, Mea. If you show your attachment to her and try not tobe hurt by little differences of opinion, your friendship might graduallyimprove. "

As Lippo and Mäzli felt that the time for the general game had come, theycame up to their mother to declare their wish. Soon everybody wasmerrily playing. 

It happened to-day, as it did every day, that the clock pointed much toosoon to the time which meant the inexorable end of playing. This usuallyhappened when everybody was most eager and everything else was forgottenfor the moment. As soon as the clock struck, playing was discontinued, the evening song was sung and then followed the disappearance of the twolittle ones. While the older children put away the toys, the mother wentto the piano to choose the song they were to sing. 

Mäzli had quickly run after her. "Oh, please, mama, can I choose thesong to-day?" she asked eagerly. 

"Certainly, tell me which song you would like to sing best. "

Mäzli seized the song-book effectively. 

"But, Mäzli, you can't even read, " said the mother. "How would the bookhelp you? Tell me how the song begins, or what lines you know. "

"I'll find it right away, " Mäzli asserted. "Just let me hunt a littlebit. " With this she began to hunt with such zeal as if she were seekinga long-lost treasure. 

"Here, here, " she cried out very soon, while she handed the book proudlyover to her mother. 

The latter took the book and read:

 "Patience Oh Lord, is needed, When sorrow, grief and pain"--

"But, Mäzli, why do you want to sing this song?" her mother asked. 

Kurt had stepped up to them and looked over the mother's shoulder intothe book. "Oh, you sly little person! So you chose the longest song youcould find. You thought that Lippo would see to it that we would singevery syllable before going to bed. "

"Yes, and you hate to go to bed much more than I do, " said Mäzli a littlerevengefully. It had filled her with wrath that her beautiful plan hadbeen seen through so quickly. "When you have to go, you always sigh asloud as yesterday and cry: 'Oh, what a shame! Oh, what a shame!' and youthink it is fearful. "

"Quite right, cunning little Mäzli, " Kurt laughed. 

"Come, come, children, now we'll sing instead of quarrelling, " the motheradmonished them. "We'll sing 'The lovely moon is risen. ' You know allthe words of that from beginning to end, Mäzli. "

They all started and finished the whole song in peace. 

When the mother came back later on from the beds of the two youngerchildren, the three elder ones sat expectantly around the table, for Kurthad told them of their mother's promise to tell them the story of thefamily of Wallerstätten that evening. They had already placed theirmother's knitting-basket on the table in preparation of what was to come, because they knew that she would not tell them a story without knittingat the same time. 

Smilingly the mother approached. "Everything is ready, I see, so I canbegin right away. "

"Yes, and right from the start, please; from the place where the ghostfirst comes in. "

The mother looked questioningly at Kurt. "It seems to me, Kurt, that youstill hope to find out about this ghost, whatever I may say to thecontrary. I shall tell you, though, how people first began to talk abouta ghost in Wildenstein. The origin of these rumors goes back many, manyyears. "

"There is a picture in the castle, " the mother began to relate, "which Ioften looked at as a child and which made a deep impression upon me. Itrepresents a pilgrim who wanders restlessly about far countries, despitehis snow-white hair, which is blowing about his head, and despite hislooking old and weather-beaten. It is supposed to be the picture of theancestor of the family of Wallerstätten. The family name is thought tohave been different at that time. 

"This ancestor is said to have been a man extremely susceptible toviolent outbreaks. In his passion he was supposed to have committed manyevil deeds, on account of which his poor wife could not console herself. Praying for him, she lay whole days on her knees in the chapel. She diedsuddenly, however, and this shocked the baron so mightily that he couldnot remain in the castle. In order to find peace for his restless soulhe became a repentant pilgrim. So he took the emblem of a pilgrim intohis coat of arms and called himself Wallerstätten. Leaving his estateand his sons, he nevermore returned. 

"Later on two of his descendants lived in the castle. Both were wellloved and respected, because they did a great deal to have the landcultivated for a long distance around and as a result all the farmersbecame rich. But both had inherited the violent temper of theirancestor, and the truth is that there always were members in the familywith that fatal characteristic. Nobody knew what happened between thebrothers, but one morning one of them was found dead on the floor of thebig fencing-hall. All that the castle guard knew about it was that histwo masters had settled a dispute with a duel. The other brother hadimmediately disappeared, but was brought back dead to the castle a fewdays afterwards. 

"Climbing up a high mountain, he had fallen down a precipice and had beenfound dead. These events threw all the neighborhood into greatconsternation. 

"That is when the rumors first spread that the restless spirit of thebrother murderer was seen wandering about the castle. All this happenedmany years before my father and your grandfather moved into Nolla asRector. The rumor had somewhat faded then and all that we children heardabout it was that my father was very positive in denying all such reportsthat reached his ears. Your grandfather was the closest friend of themaster of Wallerstätten, whom everybody called the Baron. I can onlyremember seeing him once for a moment, but he made an unusual impressionupon me. I remember him very vividly as a very tall man going with rapidsteps through the courtyard and mounting a horse, which was trying torear. He died before I was five years old, and I have often heard myfather say to my mother that it was a great misfortune for the two sonsto have lost their father. I felt so sorry for them that I would oftenstop in the middle of play to ask her, 'Oh, mother, can nobody helpthem?' To comfort me she would tell me that God alone could help. For along time I prayed every night before going to sleep: 'Dear God, pleasehelp them in their trouble!' Both were always very kind and friendly withme. I was up at the castle a great deal, because the BaronessMaximiliana of Wallerstätten was my godmother. My father instructed thetwo sons and acted as helper and adviser to the Baroness in many things. He went up to her every morning, holding me by one hand and Philip by theother. My brother had lessons together with the boys, who were one yearapart in age, while Philip was just between them. Bruno, the elder--"

"I was named after him, mother, wasn't I?" Bruno interrupted here. 

"Salo was a year younger--"

"I was called after him, " Mea said quickly. "You wanted a Salo so muchand, as I was a girl, you called me Malomea, didn't you?"

The mother nodded. 

"And I was called after father, " Kurt cried out, in order to prove thathis name also had a worthy origin. 

"I went up to the castle because my godmother wished it. She would haveloved to have a little daughter herself, therefore she occupied herselfwith me as if I belonged to her. She taught me to embroider and to doother fine handwork. Whenever she went with me into the garden andthrough the estate, she taught me all about the trees and flowers. I wasoften allowed to pick the violets that grew in great abundance beneaththe hedges and in the grass at the border of the little woods. Oh, whatbeautiful days those were! Soon they were to become more perfect stillfor us. 

"But I received an impression in those days which remained in my heartfor a long while like a menacing power, often frightening me so that Iwas very unhappy. Once my father came down very silently from thecastle. When my mother asked him if anything had happened he replied, and I still hear his words 'Young Bruno has inherited his ancestor'sdreadful passion. His mother is naturally more worried about this thanabout anything else. '"

"Look at him, " Kurt said dryly, glancing at Bruno, who was sitting besidehis mother. For answer Bruno's eyes flashed threateningly at hisbrother. 

"Oh, please go on, mother, " Mea urged. She was in no mood to have thetale interrupted by a fight between her brothers. 

"It seemed terrible to me, " the mother continued again, "that Bruno, mygenerous, kind friend, should have anything in his character to worry hismother. Often I cried quietly in a corner about it and wondered how sucha thing could be. I had to admit it myself, however. Whenever the threeboys had a disagreement or anybody did something to displease Bruno, hewould get quite beside himself with rage, acting in a way which he musthave been sorry for later on. I have to repeat again, though, that hehad at bottom a noble and generous nature and would never have willinglyharmed anyone or committed a cruel deed. But one could see that hisoutbreaks of passion might drive him to desperate deeds. 

"Salo, his brother, never became angry, but he had a very unyieldingnature just the same. He was just as obstinate in his way as hisbrother, and never gave in. Philip was always on his side, for the twowere the best of friends. Bruno was much more reserved and taciturn thanSalo, who was naturally very gay and could sing and laugh so that thehalls would re-echo loudly with his merriment. The Baroness herselfoften laughed in that way, too. That is why Bruno imagined that sheloved her younger son better than him, and because he himself loved hismother passionately, he could not endure this thought. It was not true, however. She loved his eldest boy passionately and everybody who wasclose to her could see it. 

"When I was ten years old and Philip fifteen, an unusually charming girlwas added to our little circle. I above everybody else was enchantedwith her. Our friends at the castle and even Philip, who certainly wasnot easily filled with enthusiasm, were extremely enthusiastic about ournew playmate. She was a girl of eleven years old, you see just a yearolder than I was. She was far, far above me, though, in knowledge, ability, and especially in her manners and whole behaviour, so that I wasperfectly carried away by her charm. 

"Her name was Leonore. She was related to the baroness and had come downfrom the far north, in fact from Holstein, where my godmother came fromand all her connections lived. Leonore, the daughter of one of herrelations, had very early lost her father and mother, as her mother haddied soon after the Baroness decided to adopt the child. She knew thatLeonore would otherwise be all alone in the world, and she hoped that agentle sister would have an extremely beneficial influence on the twoself-willed brothers. Now a time began for me which was more wonderfulthan anything I could ever have imagined. Leonore was to continue herstudies, of course, and take up new ones. For that purpose a veryrefined German lady came to the castle very soon after Leonore's arrival. Only years afterwards I realized what a splendid teacher she had been. 

"My godmother had arranged for me to share the studies with Leonore, andtherefore I was to live all day at the castle as her companion, onlyreturning in the evenings. So we two girls spent all our time together, and in bad weather I also remained there for the night. Leonore had atremendous influence on me, and I am glad to say an influence for mygood, for I was able to look up to her in everything. Whatever wascommon or low was absolutely foreign to her noble nature. This closecompanionship with her was not only the greatest enjoyment of my youngyears, but was the greatest of benefits for my whole life. "

"You certainly were lucky, mother, " Mea exclaimed passionately. 

"Yes, and Uncle Philip was lucky, too, to have two such nice friends, "Bruno added. 

"I realize that, " the mother answered. "You have no idea, children, howoften I have wished that you, too, could have such friends. "

"Please go on, " Kurt begged impatiently. "Where did they go, mother?Doesn't anyone know what has become of them?"

"Whenever our brothers, as we called them, were free, " the mothercontinued, "they were our beloved playmates. We valued their stimulatingcompany very much and were always happy when through some chance theywere exempt from some of their numerous lessons. They always asked us tojoin them in their games and we were very happy that they wanted ourcompany. Baroness von Wallerstätten had guessed right. Since Leonorehad come into our midst, the brothers fought much more seldom, andeverybody who knew Bruno well could see that he tried to suppress hisoutbursts of rage in her presence. Once Leonore had become pale withfright when she had been obliged to witness such a scene, and Bruno hadnot forgotten it. Four years had passed for us in cloudless sunshinewhen a great change took place. The young barons left the castle inorder to attend a university in Germany, and Philip also left for anagricultural school. So we only saw the brothers once a year, duringtheir brief holidays in the summer. Those days were great feast daysthen for all of us, and we enjoyed every single hour of their stay fromearly morning till late at night. We always began and ended every daywith music, and frequently whole days were spent in the enjoyment of it. 

"Both young Wallerstättens were extremely musical and had splendidvoices, and Leonore's exquisite singing stirred everybody deeply. TheBaroness always said that Leonore's voice brought the tears to her eyes, no matter if she sang merry or serious songs. It affected me in thatway, too, and one could never grow weary of hearing her. I had justfinished my seventeenth and Leonore her eighteenth year when a summercame which was to bring grave changes. We did not expect Philip home forthe holidays. Through the Baroness' help he was already filling the postof manager of an estate in the far north. The young barons had alsocompleted their studies and were expected to come home and to consultwith their mother about their plans for the future. She fully expectedthem to travel before settling down, and after that she hoped sincerelythat one of them would come to live at home with her; this would meanthat he would take the care of the estate on his shoulders with itstroubles and responsibilities. Soon after their arrival the sons seemedto have had an interview with their mother which clearly worried her, forshe went about silently, refusing to answer any questions. Bruno strodeup and down the terrace with flaming eyes whole hours at a time, withoutsaying a word. Salo was the only sociable one left, and sometimes hewould come and sit down beside us; but if we questioned him about theirapparent feud, he remained silent. How different this was from ourformer gay days! But this painful situation did not last long. On thefifth or sixth day after their arrival the brothers did not appear forbreakfast. The Baroness immediately inquired in great anxiety if theyhad left the castle, but nobody seemed to have noticed them. Apolloniewas the only one who had seen them going upstairs together in the earlymorning, so she was sent up to look for them in the tower rooms. Whenshe found them empty, she opened the door of the old fencing-hall by somestrange impulse. Here Salo was crouching half fainting on the floor. Hetold her that it was nothing to worry about, and that he had only lostconsciousness for a moment. She had to help him to get up, however, andhe came downstairs supported on her arm. The Baroness never said a word. She stayed in her son's chamber till the physician who had been sent forhad gone away again. Then returning to us, she sat down beside Leonoreand me and told us that we ought to know what had happened. Apparentlyshe was very calm, but I had never seen her face so pale. She informedus that when she had spoken to her sons about their future plans, she haddiscovered that neither of them had ever spoken about it to the other. Now they both declared to her that their full intention had been foryears to come home after the completion of their studies and to live inWildenstein with her and Leonore. Bruno was quite beside himself when hefound that Salo had apparently no intention to yield to him in thematter, so he challenged his brother to a duel in order to decide whichof them was to remain at home. Salo had been wounded and, losingconsciousness, had fallen to the ground. Bruno, fearing something worse, had disappeared. The doctor had not found Sale's wounds of a seriousnature, but as he had a delicate constitution, great care had to betaken. When I left the castle that day I felt that all the joy andhappiness I had ever known on earth was shattered, and this feelingstayed with me a long while after. Soon after that sad event theBaroness got ready for a journey to the south, where she meant to go withSalo and Leonore. Salo had not recovered as quickly as she had hoped, and Leonore, instead of getting more robust in our vigorous mountain-air, only became thinner and frailer. Only once Bruno sent his mother somenews. In extremely few words he let her know that he was going to Spain, and that she need not trouble more about him. But the news of hisbrother's survival reached him, nevertheless. Now all those I had lovedso passionately had gone away, and I felt it very deeply. There thecastle stood, sad and lifeless, and its lighted windows looked down nomore upon us from the height. All its eyes were closed and were toremain so. "

"Oh, oh, did they never come back?" cried out Kurt with regret. 

"No, never, " the mother replied. "At that time, too, apparently, all thereports which had long ago faded were revived as to a ghost who wassupposed to wander about the castle. There were many who asserted theyhad seen or heard him, and till to-day the ghost of Wildenstein ishaunting people's heads. "

"Look at him, " said Bruno dryly, pointing to the lower end of the tablewhere Kurt was sitting. 

"Finish, please, mother, " the latter quickly urged. "Where did they allget to? And where is the brother who disappeared?"

"All I still have to tell you is short and sad, " said the mother. "Leonore faithfully wrote to me. After spending the first winter in thesouth it became apparent that the Baroness's health was shattered. Sherefused to return to the castle and sent her instructions to Apollonie, who had married the gardener of Wildenstein, and who now with her husbandbecame caretaker of the castle, Three years afterwards the Baroness diedwithout ever having returned. A short time after that Leonore becameSalo's wife, but they were not fated to remain together long. Not morethan three years later Salo died of a violent fever and Leonore followedhim in a few months, but they left a little boy and a little girl. AfterSalo's death Leonore was left alone in life, so an aunt from Holsteincame to live with her in Nice. After Leonore's death this aunt took thetwo children home with her. I heard this from Apollonie, who had beensent Leonore's last instructions by this aunt. I never learned anythingfurther about the two children, and only once did I receive word fromBaron Bruno through Apollonie. Your late father, young Rector Bergmann, had married me just about the time when we heard of the Baroness's death. I followed him very gladly to Sils, because Philip had just bought anestate there and was very anxious to have me close to him. One dayApollonie came to me in great agitation. Baron Bruno, never once sendingword, had arrived in the castle after an absence of eight years and hadbrought with him a companion by the name of Mr. Demetrius. The Baronhad naturally expected to find his mother, his brother and his erstwhileplaymates gathered there as before. When he heard from Apollonieeverything that had happened in his absence, he broke into a violentpassion, because he believed that the news had been purposely kept fromhim. Apollonie was able to show him his late mother's letters where shehad given her exact orders in case of his return. He could also see fromthem that she wrote to him frequently and had tried to reach him in vain. Baron Bruno had lived an extremely unsettled existence and all theletters had miscarried, despite the orders he had left in big cities tohave them forwarded. Full of anger and bitterness the Baron immediatelyleft, and till the present hour he has not been heard of. Mr. Demetrius, later on called Mr. Trius by everybody, came back a few yearsago to the deserted castle. Apollonie had meanwhile lost her husband, had closed up all the rooms at the castle, and had gone to live again inthe former gardener's cottage, where she is living now. From the timewhen he reappeared till to-day, Mr. Trius has led a solitary life andsees no one except Apollonie, and her only when he is in need of her. However hard Apollonie tried to make him tell about his master, he wouldnot do it. You know now about my happy life in Wildenstein and will beable to understand the reason why I moved here again after the death ofyour father. Another inducement was that our dear Rector, an erstwhilefriend of my father's, promised to give Bruno instruction which he couldnot get at a country school, so that I was able to keep him at homelonger, you see. Now you know why the deserted castle attracts me sodespite its sad aspect, for it brings back to me my most beautifulmemories. "

"Oh, please, mother, tell us a little more, " Kurt begged eagerly, whenhis mother rose. 

"Oh, mother, " Mea joined in, "tell us more about your friend, Leonore. "

"Oh, yes, tell us more, mother, " Bruno supplicated. "There must be moreto know still. Did Baron Bruno keep on travelling in Spain?"

"I think most of the time, but I can't tell you for sure, " the motherreplied. "I know everything only from Apollonie, who had these reportsfrom Mr. Trius, but he either does not choose to talk or does not knowvery much himself about his master. I have told you everything now andyou must go to bed as quickly as you can. It was your bedtime long ago. "

No questions or supplications helped now, and soon the house was silent, except for the mother's quiet steps as she once more visited thechildren's beds. Her eldest, who could become so violent, lay before herwith a peaceful expression on his clear brow. She knew how high hisstandard of honor was, but how would he end if his unfortunate traitgained more ascendancy over him? Soon she would be obliged to send himaway, and how could she hope for a loving influence in strangesurroundings, which was the only thing to quiet him? The mother knew thatshe had not the power to keep her children from pain and sin, but sheknew the hand which leads and steadies all children that are entrusted toit, that can guard and save where no mother's hand or love can avail. She went with folded hands from one bed to the other, surrendering herchildren to their Father's protection in Heaven. He knew best how muchthey were in need of His loving care. 

CHAPTER IV

AN UNEXPECTED APPARITION

Kurt had so many plans the next day that he already rushed to school asif he had not a minute to lose. Mea and Lippo, who started with him, looked full of astonishment at his unusual speed. Arriving at theschool, he saw Loneli coming along with a drooping head and not, asusual, with a happy stride. 

"What is it, Loneli?" asked Kurt coming nearer. "Why are your eyesswollen already before it is even eight o'clock? Just he happy. I'llhelp you. Did anybody hurt you?"

"No, Kurt, no one, but I can't be happy any more, " and with thesewords Loneli's eyes filled again with tears. "I wish you could seegrandmother since I've been on the shame-bench. I would not mind ifshe were angry, for she generally forgives me again after a while; butshe is sad all the time. It is worst when I go to school in themorning, because she says that I brought down shame on us both, andthat I have given her gray hairs. She said to me that after havinglived an honorable life and spent most of it with the most noblefamily, this was very hard for her. She felt as if she had raised meonly to bring down shame on both for the rest of our lives. "

Loneli broke out anew into tears. This neverending disgrace, togetherwith the constant reproaches she had had to bear, seemed to choke her, "No, no, Loneli, you don't need to cry any more. It is not at all theway your grandmother is taking it, " Kurt said consolingly. "I'll go toher ever so soon to explain what happened. Please be happy andeverything will come out all right. "

"Do you think so?" Loneli asked, pleasantly surprised. Her eyes wereclear again, for she always believed whatever Kurt said to her. Now herushed over to the noisy crowd of children, who seemed to have beenwaiting for him. Kurt was always glad to have such numerous friends, forhe usually needed a large following for the execution of his schemes. To-day he had two large undertakings in his head, and he needed topersuade his comrades to join him. He was explaining with such violentgestures and eager words that they entirely neglected the first strokesof the tower bell. At the last and eighth stroke the little crowddispersed as suddenly as a flock of frightened birds. Then they rushedinto the school house. Kurt was home to-day ahead of everybody, too. Heapproached his mother with a large sheet of paper. 

"Look, mother, Mr. Trius got a song. Yesterday evening he threatenedtwo more of my friends with the stick, but they were luckily able to savethemselves. It seems as if he had at least four eyes and ears which cansee and hear whatever is going on. I finished the song. Can I read itto you?"

"I wish you had no friends that Mr. Trius has occasion to frighten witha stick, " said the mother. "I hope that it won't ever happen to you. "

"Oh, he often threatens innocent people, " Kurt replied. "Listen to atrue description of him. "

 A SONG ABOUT MR. TRIUS, THE BOY BEATER. 

 Old Trius lives in our town, A haughty man is he, And every one that he can catch He beats right heartily. 

 Old Trius wears a yellow coat, It's very long and thick, But all the children run away At sight of his big stick. 

 Old Trius of the pointed hat He wanders all around, And if he beats nobody, why There's no one to be found. 

 Old Trius thinks: To spank a boy Is really very kind, And all he cannot hit in front At least he hits behind. 

 Old Trius makes a pretty face With every blow he gives. He'll beat us all for many years, I'm thinking, if he lives. 

The mother could not help smiling a little bit during the perusal, butnow she said seriously: "This song must under no condition fall into Mr. Trius' hands. He might not look at it as a joke, and you must not offendhim. I advise you, Kurt, not to challenge Mr. Trius in any way, for hemight reply to you in some unexpected fashion. He has his own ways andmeans of getting rid of people. "

Kurt was very anxious to get his mother's permission to run about thatsame evening by moonlight with his friends, and his mother granted itwillingly. 

"I hope you are not going on one of the unfortunate apple-expeditions Ihear so much about, " she added. 

Kurt quite indignantly assured her that he would never do such a thing. Lippo was pushing him to one side now. The little boy had made attemptsto reach his mother for several minutes, and he was delighted at hisbrother's quick departure. 

"Mr. Rector sends you his regards and he wants to know if you wanted togive him an answer. Here is a letter, " said Lippo. 

"Where did you bring the letter from?" asked the mother. 

"I didn't bring the letter. Lise from the rectory brought it, " wasLippo's information. "But Lise saw me in front of the door and said thatI should take the letter up with me and give it to you, and tell herwhether you wanted to give the Rector an answer or not. "

"Oh, that is just the way a message ought to be given, " the mother saidwith a smile. "Did you hear it, Mäzli? I wish you could learn from Lippohow to do it. Whenever you have one to give, I have such trouble to findout what really happened and what you have only imagined. "

Mäzli, whose knitting-ball was at that moment in the most hopelesslyknotted condition, was ever so glad when her mother suggested a newactivity. Quickly flinging her knitting away, she jumped up from herstool. Then she began to repeat Lippo's speech, word for word: "I didnot bring the letter. Lise from the rectory--"

"No, no, Mäzli, I do not mean it that way, " the mother interrupted her. "I mean that the reports you bring me so often sound quite impossible. Iwant you to be as careful and exact in them as Lippo. "

In the meantime the mother had opened the letter and looked suddenlyquite frightened. 

"Tell the girl that I shall go to Mr. Rector myself and that she neednot wait for an answer, " was her message entrusted to Lippo. 

The thing she had dreaded so much was settled now. The Rector let herknow in his letter that he had realized the time had come for his pupilsto be put into different hands. He wrote that he had decided todiscontinue the studies with them next fall, but that he would be onlytoo glad to be of assistance to Mrs. Maxa in consulting about Bruno'sfurther education. He closed with an assurance that he would be thehappier to do so because Bruno had always been very dear to him. 

Mrs. Maxa, sitting silently with folded hands, was lost in thought. This was something that happened very seldom. 

But Mea stood before her and trying to get her sympathy with passionategestures. "Just think, mother, " she cried out, "Elvira is so angry nowthat she will never have anything more to do with me, no never. But shewas most offended because I told her that it was wrong of her; not toadmit that she had chattered in school. She said quite sarcasticallythat if I chose to correct her on account of that raggedy Loneli, Ishould keep Loneli for a friend and not her. "

"Let her be for once, " said the mother. "Till now you have always goneafter her; so do what she wishes this time. It is wrong to call Loneliraggedy; few people are as honest and agreeable as Apollonie and hergrandchild. "

Mea was ready with many more complaints, for whenever anything botheredher, she felt the need to tell her mother. She realized, though, thatshe had to put off further communications for a quiet evening hour. 

Bruno had approached, and turning to his mother, asked in great suspense:"Mother, what did Mr. Rector write to you? Have the plum-thieves beendiscovered?"

"I do not think that they have brought his decision about, but I am surethey hastened it. Read the letter, " said his mother, handing it to him. 

"That is not so bad, " Bruno said after reading it. "As soon as you sendme to town I shall be rid of them at last, and I won't have to botherabout them any more. You know, mother, that all they care about is to domean and nasty things. "

"But they will go to town, too, and then you will be thrown together. There won't be anybody then who cares for you and will listen to you, "the mother lamented. 

"Do not worry, mother, the town is big and we won't be so close together. I'll keep far enough away from them, you may be sure. Don't let ittrouble you, " Bruno reassured her. 

Kurt was so much occupied at lunch with his own plans and ideas that henever even noticed when his favorite dessert appeared on the table. Lippo, seriously looking at him, said quite reproachfully, "Now you don'teven see that we have apple-dumpling. " Such an indifference seemed wrongto the little boy. 

But Kurt even swallowed the apple-dumpling absent-mindedly. After lunchhe begged his mother's permission to be allowed to leave immediately, because he still had so much to talk over with his friends. "I'll tellyou all about it afterwards, mother. Be sure that I am doing somethingright that ought to be done, " he reassured her. "If only I can go now. "Having obtained permission, he shot away, and arriving at theschool-house, flew into the midst of a crowd of boys. But before theirplan could be carried out the children were obliged to sit two wholehours on the school-benches. It truly seemed to-day as if they wouldnever end. 

Lux, the sexton's boy, who preferred pulling the bell-rope and beingviolently drawn up by it to sitting in school, tapped his neighbor'ssleeve. 

"How late is it, Max?" he asked. 

"I don't know. "

"Max, " Lux whispered again, "the second expedition will be more fun thanthe first. I look forward to it more, don't you?"

"You can look forward to the shame-bench if you don't keep quiet, " Maxretorted, squinting with his eyes in the direction of the teacher. 

The latter had actually directed his eyes to the side where thewhisperers sat. Lux, bending over his book, kept quiet at last. Finallythe longed-for hour came and in a few minutes the whole swarm wasoutside. With a great deal of noise, but in a quick and pretty orderlyfashion they now formed a procession, which began to move in thedirection of Apollonie's little house. Here a halt was made. Kurt, climbing to the top of a heap of logs, which lay in the pathway, stoodupright, while the others grouped themselves about him. Apollonie openedthe window a little, but hid behind it, for she was wondering what wasgoing on. Loneli stood close behind her. She had just come backbreathlessly, for she had heard that a procession was coming towards hergrandmother's house. 

"Mrs. Apollonie, " Kurt cried out with loud voice, "two whole classesfrom school have come to you to tell you that it was not Loneli's faultwhen she had to sit on the shame-bench. It only happened because hercharacter is so good. Out of pure politeness she answered a questionsomebody asked her. When the teacher wanted to know who was chattering, she honestly accused herself. She did not tell him that she answered aquestion in fear of accusing somebody else. We wanted to tell you allabout it so that you won't think you have to be ashamed of Loneli. Wethink and know that she is the friendliest and most obliging child inschool. "

"Long live Loneli!" Lux suddenly cheered so that the whole bandinvoluntarily joined him. "Long live Loneli!;" it sounded again and theecho from the castle-mountain repeated, "Loneli. "

Apollonie opened the window completely, and putting out her head, cried:"It is lovely of you, children that you don't want Loneli disgraced. Ithank you for justifying her. Wait a minute. I should like to do you afavor, too. "

With that Apollonie disappeared from the window. Soon after she came outby the door with a large basket of fragrant apples on her arm. Puttingit in front of the children, she said encouragingly, "Help yourselves. "

"Good gracious, " cried out Lux, with one of the juicy apples between histeeth, "I know these. They only grow in the castle-garden, on the twotrees on the right, in the corner by the fence. Do you know that, Kurt, "he said confidentially, "I only wonder how she could get hold of such abasket full, you know, without being--you know--" With this he made theunmistakable motion of Mr. Trius with his tool of correction. 

"What on earth do you mean?" Kurt cried out full of indignation. "Mrs. Apollonie did not need to steal them. Mr. Trius certainly could giveher a few baskets of apples for all the shirts she sews and mends forhim. "

"Oh, I see, that is different, " said Lux, now properly informed. 

In the shortest time the huge basket was emptied of its delicious applesand the whole band had dispersed after many exclamations of thanks. Theyall ran home and Kurt outran them all. It was important now to do hishome-work as speedily as possible, as the second expedition was to takeplace a little later. When he reached the front door he noticed thatMrs. Knippel was coming up behind him. 

Running ahead quickly, he flung open the living-room door and called in, "Take Mäzli out of the way or else something horrible will happen again. "

After saying this he ran away. Bruno and Mea, who were busy in the roomwith their work, did not find it necessary to follow Kurt's command. Ifhe found it so necessary, why didn't he do it himself, they thought, remaining seated. Mäzli had risen rapidly and looked towards the doorwith large expectant eyes, wondering what was going to happen. Mrs. Knippel now entered. 

"Why does something horrible always happen when Mrs. Knippel comes?"Mäzli asked in a loud voice. 

Mea, quickly getting up, went out of the door, pulling Mäzli after her;to explain her hasty retreat, she said that she wanted to fetch hermother. She simply had to take that horrible little Mäzli out of theway; who could know what she might say next. She always brought forwardher most awful ideas when it was least suitable. The mother, who was onthe way already, entered just when Mea was running out with Mäzli. Brunoalso slipped quickly after them. He had only waited for his mother'sappearance in order to fly. 

"Your children are certainly very peculiar, " the district attorney's wifebegan. "I have to think so every time I see them. What do all youradmonitions help, I should like to know? Nature will have its way! Notone of my children has ever been so impertinent, to say the least, asyour little daughter is already. "

"I am very sorry you should have to tell me that, " Mrs. Maxa replied. "Isn't it possible that the child should have unconsciously said animpertinence? I hope you have never had a similar experience with myolder children. "

"No, I could not say that, " Mrs. Knippel answered. "But I should saythat all of them have inherited the love of preaching, especially yourdaughter Mea. Children can be unlike by disposition without its beingnecessary that one of them should constantly make sermons to the other. "

"My children are very often of different opinions, but I could not saythat they preach much to each other, " said Mrs. Maxa. 

"It is certainly Mea's habit to do so, and that is why she is not able tokeep peace with her friends. I suppose you received a letter from ourRector telling you of the refusal to teach the boys any further. "

This was said with a less severe intonation. 

Mrs. Maxa confirmed the statement. 

"So the change we have looked forward to has really come, " the visitorcontinued, "and my husband agrees with me that prompt action should betaken. He is going to the city to-morrow; in fact, he has left alreadyin order to visit his sister on the way. He will look for a suitable, attractive home in town that the three boys can move into next fall. "

"You do not mean to tell me, Mrs. Knippel, that your husband is orderingliving-quarters for Bruno, too?" Mrs. Maxa said in consternation. 

"Oh, yes, and this is why my husband has sent me here, to let you knowhow glad he is to do it for you, " the attorney's wife said soothingly. "He was positively sure that you would be glad if he decided and orderedeverything to suit himself and you. "

"But, Mrs. Knippel, I am not prepared for this. I have not even spokento my brother about it. You know very well that he is the children'sguardian. "

Mrs. Maxa was quite unable to hide her excitement. 

"You can be reassured, for we have thought of that, too, " the visitorsaid with a slightly superior smile. "My husband's sister does not livevery far from Mr. Falcon in Sils. So he planned to visit your brotherand talk the plan over with him. "

This calmed Mrs. Maxa a trifle, for her brother knew already how itstood between the three comrades and how little she wanted them to livetogether. But she could not help wondering why these people were tryingto force the boys to live together. 

"I do not really understand why the boys should have to live together, "she said with animation; "they do not profess to feel much friendship foreach other, and never seek each other out. You yourself, Mrs. Knippel, do not seem to get a very good impression from my children's ways. I donot see why you wish your sons to live with mine at all. "

"It is a matter of decorum, " the attorney's wife replied, "and my husbandagrees with me. What would people in town say if the sons of the twobest families here, who have always studied together, should not livetogether? Everybody would think that something special had happenedbetween the families. Both parties will only gain in respect byjoining. "

"I do not believe that people in the city will be interested in what thethree boys are doing, " said Mrs. Maxa, smiling a little. 

That same moment the door was flung wide open. With a triumphant face asif she wanted to say, "Just look whom I bring you here, " Mäzli stood onthe threshhold leading Apollonie in. The latter hastily retreated. 

"No, no, Mäzli, " she said quite frightened, "you should have told me thatthere was company. "

Mrs. Knippel had risen to take her departure: "It seems to me that othervisitors are greeted very joyfully by your children. Well, I must saythey have rather odd tastes, " she said, walking towards the door. 

"Apollonie is a very old friend of ours. All the children love her verymuch. They may have inherited this attachment, though, " Mrs. Maxareplied with a smile. 

"I only want to say one more word, " said the lady turning round beforestepping outside the door. "The scene your son Kurt enacted to-day infront of Apollonie's cottage with his crowd of miscellaneous friends canonly be called a vulgar noise. "

But Mrs. Maxa did not yet know what Kurt had done. The visitor turnedto go now, as it seemed not worth her while to waste words about it. Assoon as the field was clear, Mäzli rushed out of a hiding-place, pullingApollonie with her. The old woman was terribly apologetic about havinggone into the room. When she had told Mäzli that she wanted to see hermother, the little girl had taken her there without any further ado. Sheinformed the Rector's widow that she had come to her with a quiteincredible communication. 

Mrs. Maxa found it necessary at this point to interrupt her friend. Shehad noticed that Mäzli was all ears to what was coming. 

"Mäzli, go and play with Lippo till I come, " she said. 

"Please tell me all about it afterwards, Apollonie, " was Mäzli'sinstruction before going to do as she was bid. 

Apollonie's communication took a considerable time. She had just leftwhen the family sat down to a belated supper. 

Kurt swallowed his meal with signs of immoderate impatience. As soon aspossible he rushed away, after having given his promise not to come homelate. The friends that were to join him in this expedition had to besought out first. When he neared the meeting place, he felt a littledisappointed. In the twilight he could see that there was a smallernumber assembled than he had hoped for. This certainly was not the crowdhe had had together at noon when at least all the boys had promised totake part in his new enterprise. 

"They were afraid, they were afraid, " all voices cried together. Kurtheard now, while each screamed louder than the other that many boys andgirls had left when the darkness was beginning to fall. Among the fewthat were left there were only four girls. 

"It doesn't matter, " said Kurt. "There are enough people still. Whoeveris afraid may leave. We must start, though, because we have rather farto go. We are not going up the well-known path, because Mr. Triuswatches for apple-hunters there till midnight, I think. That suits usexactly, for he must not hear us. We are going up to the woods at theback of the castle. First, we'll sing our challenge, then comes thepause, to give the ghost enough time, then again and after that for thethird and last time. If there really is a ghost, he will have appearedby then. You can understand that he won't let himself be teased by us. So when he hasn't come, we can tell everybody what we did. Then they'llsee that it is only a superstition and that there is no wandering ghostin Wildenstein. Forward now!"

The little crowd set out full of spirits and eagerness for the adventure, for Kurt had clearly shown them that there could be no ghost. To go upthere and sing loudly to a non-existent ghost was capital fun. Furthermore, they looked forward to boasting of their daring deedafterwards. Faster and faster they climbed, so that only half of theusual time was taken in reaching their destination. It was dark atfirst, but the moon suddenly came out from behind the clouds, cheerfullylighting up the fields. 

Having reached the rear of the castle hill, they hurried up the inclineand into the pinewoods, where the trees stood extremely close together. This made it very dark, despite the fact that the wood was small. Soonclouds covered the moon, and the little band became stiller and stiller. Here and there one of the children sneaked off and did not reappear. Three of the girls, after mysteriously whispering together, were gone, too, and with them several more stole away, for there was a strangerustling in the bushes. Kurt with Lux and his enterprising sister Cleviwere at the extreme front. 

When it became very still, Kurt turned around. 

"Come along! Where are you all?" he called back. 

"We are coming, " several voices answered from some children immediatelybehind him. It was Max, Hans and Simi, and then Stoffi and Rudi behindthem, but they were all. Kurt halted. 

"Where is the whole troup?" asked Kurt. "Let us wait till they catch up. We must all stay together up there. "

But none followed. All the answer Kurt got to his question was thescreaching of an owl. 

"Oh, they've gone, they were afraid, " said Max. "They were there, though, when we came into the woods. "

"The cowards!" Clevi cried indignantly, "To be afraid of trees! That certainly is funny. "

"Well, we aren't afraid anyway; otherwise we shouldn't be here any more. Call to those who are gone, " Max called back. 

"Come on now, come!" Kurt commanded. "There are eight of us left tosing, so we must all sing very loud. "

On they went speedily till they could see the end of the woods. One ofthe gray towers was peering between the trees. They had at last reachedtheir goal. 

"Here we stop!" said Kurt, "but we must not go outside the woods. TheWildenstein ghost might otherwise step up to us, if he walks around theterrace. Here we go!"

Kurt began and all the others vigorously joined him:

 Come out, you ghost of Wildenstein! For we are not afraid, We've come here in the bright moonshine To sing the song we've made Come out, come out, and leave your den; You'll never scare the folks again. 

Everything was quiet roundabout, only the night wind was soughing in theold pine-trees. Between them there was a clear view of the terrace, which the moon was now flooding with light; the space before the castlelay peaceful and deserted. 

"We must sing again, " said Kurt. "He didn't hear us. If he doesn't giveus an answer this time we'll tell him what we know. Then we'll singfearfully loud:

 Hurrah! We have a certain sign, There is no ghost in Wildenstein. 

 "Then we'll start again. "

Clevi, who was gifted with a far-carrying voice, began:

 "Come out, you ghost of Wildenstein!"

And the boys with voices of thunder chimed in:

 "For we are not afraid. "

"Just look! Who is coming there? Who can it be?" said Kurt, staring atthe terrace. 

An incredibly tall figure, which could not possibly be human, waswandering across the terrace with slow steps. It could not be a treeeither, for it slowly moved over towards the woods. Did he really seestraight, or was it the moonlight which was throwing a flitting shadow. 

That moment Max, who was very big, turned about and fled. The fourothers followed headlong, leaving only Lux and Clevi beside Kurt. 

The horrible figure came nearer and nearer, and it could now be clearlydiscerned. Full moonlight fell on the armor he was garbed in and madeit, as well as the high helmet with waving plumes, glitter brightly. Along mantle fell from his shoulders down to his high riding boots, halfhiding his fearful figure. Could this be a human creature? No, impossible! No living man could be as enormous as that. With measuredsteps the apparition walked silently towards the pine trees. Here thethree singers stood horror-stricken, not uttering a sound. 

Lux, like one crazed, suddenly rushed headlong away between the trees anddown the hill. Clevi once more looked at the approaching figure withwide-open eyes. Before following her brother she wanted to see exactlywhat the knight looked like. 

Kurt was left quite alone, and still the fearful creature stalked nearer. With a desperate leap he sprang to one side and left the woods abruptly. Hurrying towards the meadow, he ran down the mountain, leaped over firstone hedge and then a second. Then he flew on till he stood in the littlegarden at home where a peaceful light from the living-room seemed togreet him. 

Breathing deeply, he ran in and his mother met him at the door. 

"Oh, is it you, Kurt?" she said kindly. "But you are a little late afterall. Was it so hard to leave the beautiful moonlight? Or was it such funrushing about? But, Kurt, you are entirely out of breath. Come sit downa moment with me. After that you have to go to bed; all the others havegone already. "

Usually Kurt would have adored being able to sit alone with his motherand have all her attention directed towards him. This he could not enjoynow. Might not his mother ask him further details about his walk? So hesaid that he preferred to go to bed right away, and his mother understoodthat he was glad to get to rest after running about so ceaselessly. Onlywhen Kurt lay safely and quietly in bed could he think over what hadhappened and how cowardly he had acted. 

After all, his mother had clearly told him that there was no ghost inWildenstein. Whom then, had he seen in armor and helmet and with a longmantle? It could not have been Mr. Trius, because he was a short, stoutperson, whereas the apparition was a tree-high figure. Might it be asentinel at the castle who was ordered to go about? May be the oldcastle-barons had always wished an armed sentinel to keep watch. If onlyhe had not run away! He could have let the sentinel walk up to him andthen he could have told him of his intention. The sentinel could onlyhave been pleased by his endeavor to get rid of such an old superstition. If only he had not run away!

Oh, yes, now that Kurt was safely under cover and Bruno's breathingbeside him spoke of his big brother's nearness, it seemed easy enough toact bravely! If only he had done it! The thing he could not explain tohimself was how anybody could be so horribly tall. That was hardlycredible. Kurt felt at bottom quite sure that it was impossible foranybody to look like that. 

"If only I could have told mother about it!" he sighed. But he feltdreadfully ashamed. She had absolutely forbidden him troubling himselfabout this matter. Even with his intention to get rid of the talk he hadacted against her command. Well, and what had he accomplished? More thanever the whole village would say to-morrow that the ghost of Wildensteinwas wandering about again. Furthermore he did not know how to gainsayit. If it only had not been so huge!

When the mother stepped up to her children's bedside later on as usual, she stopped a little while before Kurt. Hearing him moaning in hissleep, she thought he was ill. 

"Kurt, " she said quietly, "does something hurt you?"

He woke up. "Oh, mother, " he said, seizing her hand, "is it you? Ithought the ghost of Wildenstein was stretching out his enormous armtowards me!

"You were dreaming; don't think about such things in daytime, " the mothersaid kindly. "Have you forgotten your evening prayer after theexcitements of the day?"

"Yes, I had so much to think about that I forgot it, " Kurt admitted. 

"Say it now, then you will fall asleep more quietly, " said the mother. "But please, Kurt, never forget that God hears our prayers and comfortsand calms us only when we open our hearts entirely to him. You know, Kurt, don't you, that we must hide nothing from him?"

Kurt moaned "Yes" in a very low voice. 

After giving him a good-night kiss the mother withdrew. 

CHAPTER V

OPPRESSIVE AIR

It seemed as if for several days a heavy atmosphere was weighing down thelimbs of all Mrs. Maxa's household, so that its wonted cheerfulness wasentirely absent. Even the mother went about more silently than usual, for the worry about Bruno's future weighed heavily on her heart. She hadwritten to her brother to come to her as soon as possible, so that theycould talk the matter over and come to a united decision. He hadanswered her that urgent business was forcing him to a journey to SouthGermany, and that it would be time enough to settle the matter after hisreturn. Bruno, having heard about the situation, was already wrought upby the mere possibility of his being obliged to live with the two boys. Secretly he was already making the wildest plans in order to escape suchan intolerable situation. Why shouldn't he simply disappear and go toSpain like the young Baron of Wallerstätten? Probably the young gentlemanhad had some money to dispose of, while he had none. He might hirehimself out as a sailor, however, and travel to China or Australia. Hemight study the inhabitants and peculiarities of these countries andwrite famous books about them. In that way he could make a goodlivelihood. Might he not join a band of wandering singers? His motherhad already told him how well his voice sounded and that she wanted himto develop it later on. With wrinkled brows Bruno sat about wholeevenings, not saying one word but meditating on his schemes. He found itextremely hard to tell which one of them was best and to think of meansto carry it out. 

Mea's forehead, also, was darkened by heavy clouds, but she was not assilent as her brother. Every few moments exclamations of pain orindignation escaped her. But had she not fared badly?

When they had moved from Sils to Nolla, Elvira had immediately approachedMea as if she wanted to become her friend. Mrs. Knippel had sent her aninvitation in order to cement the bonds of friendship, and she had donethe same with Bruno, who was to become her sons' close comrade. It wasquite true that Bruno had declared from the beginning that he would notmake friends with the two who were to share his studies, and every timethey came together fights and quarrels were the result. 

But Mea had a heart which craved friendship. She was overcome withhappiness by the advances of the Knippel family, and immediately gaveherself to her new friend with absolute confidence and warm love. Soonmany differences of opinion and of natural disposition showed themselvesin the two girls, but Mea, in her overflowing joy of having found afriend, was little troubled by this at first. She thought that all thesethings would come right by and by when they came closer to each other. She hoped that the desired harmony would come when they became betteracquainted. But the more the two girls got to know know each other, thedeeper their differences grew, and every attempt at a clear understandingonly ended in a wider estrangement. 

Mrs. Maxa had always tried to fill her children with a contempt not onlyof all wrong, but also of low and ugly actions. She had made an effortto keep her children from harmful influences and to implant in them ahate for these things. Whenever Mea found Elvira of a different opinionin such matters, she was assured that she was in the right by themother's opinion, which coincided with her own; so she felt as if Elvirashould be shown the right way, too. Whenever this happened, Elviraturned from her and told her that she wanted to hear no sermons. 

So the two had not yet become friends, despite the fact that Mea wasstill hoping and wishing for it, and her brother Kurt had proved himselfin the right when he had doubted it from the beginning. Since theincident with Loneli, when Mea had told her friend her opinion inperfectly good faith, Elvira had not spoken to her any more and hadremained angry. But Mea's nature was not inclined to sulk. Whenever shefelt herself injured, words of indignation poured out from her like fierylava from a crater. After that everything was settled. She had beenobliged to sit day after day on the same bench with the sulking girl, and to come to school and leave again without saying a word. Should thissituation, which had already become intolerable to her, continue forever?Mea could only moan with this prospect in view. She was glad that Kurtwas in a strangely depressed mood, too, and hardly ever spoke. He wouldotherwise have been sure to make several horrible songs about herexperiences with the moping Elvira. 

Kurt, who was usually cheerful, had been as terribly depressed for thelast few days as if he had been carrying a heavy weight around with himall the time. He had kept something from his mother, and therefore theweight seemed to get heavier and heavier. It oppressed Kurt more than hecould say that he had not immediately confessed his fault. But how couldthe mother have believed him when he told her that he had seen a figurewhich could not possibly be human. He really felt like a traitor towardshis mother. All people in Nolla believed anew that a ghost ofWildenstein went about, for the apparition had actually been seen. Kurtknew quite well that it was all his fault. He hardly dared to look athis mother and he longed for somebody to help him. He was filled withthe craving to be happy again. 

Only Lippo and Mäzli pursued their usual occupations and were untroubledby heavy thoughts. As soon as Mäzli noticed that the usual cheerfulnesshad departed from the house, she tried to get into a different atmosphereat once. She always knew a place of refuge in such a case. "Oh, mama, Ihave to go and see Apollonie, " she would repeatedly say with firmconviction to her mother. Having the greatest confidence in Apollonie'sguarding hand, and knowing, besides, that Mäzli's visits always werewelcome, the mother often let her youngest go there. The little girl waswell able to find her way to the cottage and always went withoutattempting any digressions from the path. In the evening Loneligenerally accompanied her home. Mäzli would arrive carrying a largebunch of flowers, the inevitable gift from Apollonie, Presenting them toher mother, she would shout: "There they are again, just look! I havesome for you again, mother. "

The mother then looked full of delight at the bunch and said, "Yes, thoseare the same lovely mignonette that used to grow in the castle-garden, Apollonie has transplanted them into her own. But they were much finerin the castle, nowhere could their equal have been found, " she concluded, inhaling the delicious fragrance of the flowers. 

Mäzli promptly poked her little nose into the bouquet, uttering anexclamation of unspeakable delight. 

Loneli's eyes were very merry again, and was full of her usual gaiety. Since Kurt had made his little speech and had rehabilitated Loneli'shonour before the school children, the grandmother was as kind to her asof yore and never mentioned the shame-bench again. Loneli's heart wassimply filled with gratefulness for what he had done and she often wishedin turn for an opportunity to help him out of some trouble. She hadnoticed that Kurt was no longer the merriest and most entertaining of thechildren, and had given up being their leader in all gay undertakings. What could be the matter? Loneli hated to see him that way and could nothelp pondering about this remarkable change. Being extremely observant, she had noticed that it was very hard to find out the truth about thenight expedition to the castle. All the boys' answers consisted in darkallusions to the fact that the ghost was wandering about Wildenstein morethan ever. As not one of them wanted to admit the hasty retreat beforethe ghost had even been properly inspected, they only dropped vague andterrifying words about the matter. 

Brave little Clevi, who usually relished telling of her dangerousadventures when they had turned out well, was as silent as a mouse aboutit all. Whenever Loneli asked her a straight question needing a straightanswer, Clevi ran away, and Loneli got none. The report was sure to havesome foundation, and the most noticeable thing of all was that Kurt'schange had come since that night. That same day he had taken the loadoff her heart and had been so gay and merry. So Loneli put two and twotogether, and having made these observations, was filled with suddenwrath. 

As soon as school was ended, she rushed to the astonished Clevi: "Oh, Iknow what you have done, Clevi. Kurt was your leader and you didn't obeyhim; you all ran away because you were afraid. Oh, you have spoiled itall for him. "

"Yes, and what about him? He was afraid himself, " Clevi cried outexcitedly, for the reproach had stung her. "I could see with whatterrified bounds he flew down the mountain-side. "

"Was he afraid, too, do you really mean? But of what?" Loneli questionedfurther. 

"Of what? That is easily said: of what! You ought to have seen that hugecreature coming towards us from the castle. "

Since it had come out that they had been so frightened, Clevi now told indetail about the horribly tall armoured knight with the high boots andthe long cloak hanging down to his boot-tops. 

"Was the mantle blue?" Loneli, who had been listening intensely, interrupted. 

"It was night-time, and you can imagine we did not see the colorclearly, " Clevi said indignantly. "But the color has nothing to do withit, it was the length, the horrible, horrible length of that thing! Itlooked just too awful. He had a high helmet on his head besides, with astill higher bunch of black plumes that nodded in the most frightfulway. "

A gleam of joy sparkled in Loneli's eyes. Flying away like an arrow, shesought out Mrs. Maxa's house. Kurt was standing at the hawthorn hedgein front of the garden with his schoolbag still slung around him. He hadnot rushed in ahead of the others according to his custom. 

With puckered brow he was pulling one leaf after another from the hedge. Then he flung them all away, as if he wanted with each to rid himself ofa disagreeable thought. 

"Kurt, " Loneli called to him, "please wait a moment. Don't go in yet, for I want to tell you something. "

When Loneli stood beside Kurt she was suddenly filled with embarrassment. She knew exactly what she had to say, but it would sound as if she wastrying to examine Kurt. This kept her from beginning. 

"Tell me what you want, Loneli, " Kurt encouraged her, when he saw herhesitation. 

So Loneli began:

"I wanted to ask you if--if--oh, Kurt! Are you so sad on account of whathappened at the castle and because you thought there was no ghost?"

"I don't want to hear anything more about it, " Kurt said evasively, pulling a handful of leaves from the hedge and throwing them angrily tothe ground. 

"But it might only have been a man after all, " Loneli continued quietly. 

"Yes, yes, that is easily said, Loneli. How can you talk when youhaven't even seen him?"

Kurt flung the last leaves away impatiently and tried to go. But Loneliwould not yield. 

"Just wait a moment, Kurt, " she entreated. "It is true that I did notsee him, but Clevi told me all about him. I know why he looked that wayand why he was so enormous. I also know where he got the armour, thelong blue mantle, and the high black plumes. "

"What!" Kurt exclaimed, staring at Loneli as if she were a curious ghostherself. How can you know anything about it?"

"Certainly I know about it, " Loneli assured him. "Listen! You mustremember that grandmother lived a long time at the castle, so she hastold me everything that went on up there. In the lowest story there is ahuge old hall, and the walls are covered with weapons and things likearmour and helmets. In one corner there is an armoured knight with ablack-plumed helmet on his head. Whenever the young gentlemen from thecastle wanted to play a special prank, one of them would take the knighton his shoulders, and the knightly long mantle would be hung over hisshoulders so as to cover him down to his high boot-tops. This figurelooked so terrible coming along the terrace that everybody always ranaway, even in bright daylight. Once the two young ladies shrieked loudlywhen they suddenly saw the fearful knight. That pleased the younggentlemen more than anything. "

"Oh, then my mother saw him, too, and knows what he looks like, " Kurtexclaimed with a sudden start, for he had been breathlessly listening. 

"Certainly, for she was one of the young ladies, " Loneli said. 

"But now nobody is at the castle except Mr. Trius, and he couldn't havebeen there, " Kurt objected. "I know that he sneaks about the meadowstill late in the evening in order to catch apple-thieves. That is so farfrom the little woods that he could not possibly have heard us. "

"But it was Mr. Trius just the same, you can believe me, Kurt, " Loneliassured her friend. "My grandmother has often said that Mr. Triusalways knows everything that is going on. He seems to hide behind thehedges and then suddenly comes out from behind the trees when one leastexpects him. You know that the boys have known about your plan severaldays and that they don't always talk in a low voice. Besides, they havebeen trying to get hold of apples every night. You can be sure that Mr. Trius heard distinctly what your plan was. "

"Yes, that is true, but I have to go to mother now, " Kurt exclaimed, ashe started toward the house. Then, turning back once more, he said:"Thank you ever so much, Loneli, you have done me a greater service thanyou can realize by telling me everything. Nothing could have made mehappier than what you have said. " As he spoke these words he shook thelittle girl's hand with all his might. 

The boy ran into the house, while Loneli hastened home with leaps andbounds, for her heart was thrilling with great joy. 

"Where is mother, where is mother?" Kurt impetuously asked Lippo, whom hemet in the hall carrying a large water-pitcher entrusted to him by Kathy. 

"One knows well enough where mama must be when it is nearly lunch-time. You came home late from school, " Lippo answered, carefully trotting awaywith his fragile burden. 

"Yes, I did, you little sentinel of good order, " Kurt laughed out, passing Lippo in order to hasten to the dining-room. 

Now Kurt could laugh again. 

"Oh, are you as far as that already, " he cried out in surprise when hefound everybody settling down to lunch. "What a shame! I wanted to tellyou something, mother. "

She gazed at him questioningly. He had not had any urgent news for herlately, and she was glad to hear his clear voice and see his merry eyesagain. 

"You must wait now till after lunch, Kurt, " she said kindly, "for youwere rather late to-day. "

"Yes, I was rather slow at first, " Kurt informed her. "Then Loneli ranafter me to tell me something she has found out. I have often saidbefore that Loneli is the most clever child in all Nolla, besides beingthe most friendly and obliging one could possibly find. Even if she isonly brought up by simple Apollonie, she is more refined at bottom than agirl I know who adorns her outside with the most beautiful ribbons andflowers. I would rather have a single Loneli than a thousand Elviras. "

Lippo had been anxiously looking at Kurt for some time. 

"Here come the beans and you have your plate still full of soup, " he saidexcitedly. 

"Kurt, I think that it would be better for you to eat your soup insteadof uttering such strange speeches. Besides, we all agree with you aboutLoneli. I think that she is an unusually nice and sympathetic child. "

"Oh, Kurt, " the observant little Mäzli exclaimed, "do you have to talk somuch all at once because you talked so little yesterday, the day beforeyesterday and the day before that?"

"Yes, that is the exact reason, Mäzli, " Kurt said with a laugh. His soupwas soon eaten, for his spirits had fully come back now, and in theshortest time he had emptied his plate. 

Kurt was only able to get his mother to himself after school. The elderchildren were busy at that time and the two little ones had taken a walkto Apollonie. His mother, having clearly understood his wish to have athorough talk with her, had reserved this quiet hour for him. Kurt madean honest confession of his disobedience without once excusing himself bysaying that he had only done it to destroy all foolish superstition andby this means to become her helper. He could therefore tell her withoutreserve how terribly he had been cast down the last few days. The weighthad been very heavy on his heart before his confession, because he hadbeen so ashamed of the miserable end of the undertaking. He had, moreover, been very much afraid that she would tell him that no ghost ofWildenstein existed, after he himself had seen the incredible apparition. What Loneli had told him had relieved him immensely. Now his mother, whohad seen the terrible sight herself, could understand his fright. 

"Oh, little mother, I hope you are not angry with me any more, " Kurtbegged her heartily. "I shall never do anything any more you don't wantme to, for I know now what it feels like. I know that this was mypunishment for doing what you had forbidden me to do. "

When his mother saw that Kurt had realized his mistake and had humblyborne the punishment, she did not scold him any further. She confirmedeverything Loneli had told him about the knight. She also agreed withthe little girl that the watchful Mr. Trius had probably discovered longago what Kurt had planned to do that night. With the horrible apparitionhe had probably meant to punish and banish the boys for good. 

"Oh, Kurt, " the mother concluded, "I hope I can rely on you from now onnot to have anything more to do with the matter of the fabulous ghost ofWildenstein. "

Kurt could give his honest promise, for he had enough of his endeavour toprove the non-existence of the ghost. It put him into the best spiritsthat there had been nothing supernatural about it, and that he was ableagain to talk with his mother as before. With a loud and jubilant songhe joined his brothers and sisters. 

Mrs. Maxa was also very happy that Kurt had regained his cheerfulness. What met her ears now, though, was not Kurt's singing, but loud cries ofdelight. Opening the door, she distinguished the well-known calls of"Uncle Philip, Uncle Philip!" So her longed-for brother was near at last. Her two little ones, who had met with him on their stroll home, werebringing him along. All five children shouted loudly in order to lettheir uncle know how welcome he was. 

"Oh, how glad I am that you have come at last! Welcome, Philip! Pleasecome in, " Mrs. Maxa called out to him. 

"I'll come as soon as it is possible, " he replied, breathing heavily. Heheld a child with each hand, and three were between his feet, allwelcoming him tumultuously, so that for the moment it was impossible forhim to move forward. 

Gradually the whole knot moved into the house and towards the uncle'sarmchair. Here ten busy hands fastened him down so that he should not atonce get away. 

"You rascals, you!" the uncle said, quite exhausted. "A man is lucky toescape from you with his life. Are you trying to throttle yourgodfather, Lippo? Whoever put two fat little arms about a godfather'sneck like that? You seem to have climbed the chair from behind and tohave only your foot on the arm of the chair. If you slip, I shall bestrangled. Who then will find out for whom I brought a harmonica that'sburied in the depths of my coat-pocket? It gives forth the most beautifulmelodies you ever heard, when you have learned to play it. "

A harmonica was the most wonderful thing Lippo could imagine. Hisneighbor in school, a little girl called Toneli, owned one and could playwhole songs on it--he had always thought it splendid. If a harmonica wasreally destined for him, he had better let go his uncle's arm. 

Uncle Philip dove into his deep pockets with both hands, and soon thewonderful, coveted object really came to light. And how much bigger andfiner it was than Toneli's little instrument. Such a one must be able tosound the loveliest tones. Lippo, holding his treasure in his hand, could hardly believe it to be his own property, but Uncle Philipreassured him, saying: "Come, Lippo, take it, the harmonica is meant foryou. "

There were presents for all the children in the depths of the pockets, and one child after another ran away to show his gift to his mother. Lippo saw and heard nothing else just then. In expectation of themelodies which would well up he blew with all his might quite horrible, ear-shattering sounds. 

"Lippo, you must learn how to play a little first. Everything has to belearned. Give it to me, " said Uncle Philip; "you see you must do thisway. " Setting the instrument to his lips and pushing it up and down, heplayed the merriest tunes. Lippo looked up in speechless admiration athis god-father. He was tremendously impressed that Uncle Philip could doeverything, even blow a harmonica, which generally only boys were able todo. How fine it sounded! He was sure that nobody else could bring forthsuch beautiful melodies. 

Lippo was interrupted by his brothers and sisters, who were noisilyannouncing supper. So Uncle Philip was taken in their midst into thedining-room, and he might have been likened to a prisoner-of-war capturedby the victors amidst shouts of triumph. 

The mother had purposely ordered supper a little early, and she noticedthat her brother was satisfied with the arrangement. If his intentionhad been to shorten the time he could have with the children, he had nointention of cheating them of amusement, and he told them so manyentertaining things that they felt they had never had a better time withhim. At last, however, it was quiet in the living-room. Uncle Philipwas sitting there alone, waiting for his sister, who had gone upstairswith the children. 

"First of all, Philip, " she said on her return, as she settled downbeside him, "what shall be done with Bruno? I am sure you told Mr. Knippel not to engage board and lodging for him. "

"On the contrary, I gave him full power to do so, " the brother replied. "Mr. Knippel gave me the impression that you would agree to it and wouldbe very grateful if he took the matter in hand, so I thought that thatwould be the simplest way out. It won't be so very terrible if the boyslive together. Don't always imagine the worst. But I must tell yousomething else. "

Uncle Philip seemed to be rather glad to pass quickly over the hardproblem. He guessed in fact that his communication would cause hissister great consternation. And he had guessed rightly. In her frightover his first words she had not even heard the last. 

"How could you do such a thing, " she began to complain. "I can see quiteclearly what will happen without unduly imagining anything. The lownature and character of the two boys rouses Bruno's ire, and heconstantly flies into a rage when he is with them. It is my greatestsorrow that he can't control himself. What on earth will happen if thethree are compelled to be together daily, nay constantly, and will evenlive together. The matter frightens me more than you can realize, Philip, and now you have made it impossible for me to change the plan. "

"But, Maxa, can't you see that I could not act otherwise. Mr. Knippelwas terribly anxious to arrange it all, and you know how quickly he isoffended. He always imagines that his low birth is in his way, for hecannot understand our utter indifference to all the money he has heapedup. You must not be so anxious about it. It can't possibly last verylong, " the brother consoled her. "There is sure to be a violent quarrelbetween them soon, and as soon as that happens, I promise to take thematter in hand. That will give us good grounds to separate them. "

The prospect of a horrible fight was, however, no consolation to Mrs. Maxa. But she said nothing more for the matter was irrevocably settled. 

"I have to tell you something now which will put you into a happiermood, " he began, clearly relieved that his unpleasant communication hadbeen made. "Yesterday evening the two ladies from Hanover who were mytravelling companions some time ago came to me to ask my advice aboutsomething which troubled them very much. They have received an urgentcall to return home to their aged mother, who has fallen very ill and hasasked to see them. The little girl who is in their care, however, hasbeen so sick for a few days that they had to call the doctor. Theysummoned him again yesterday in order to consult him as to whether theremight be danger if the child travelled. He told them positively thatthey could not think of letting her go now, and that she might not beable to go for weeks. A slow fever showed that she was on the point ofserious illness, Which would not quickly pass. The ladies were extremelyfrightened and told the doctor their dilemma, for they were bothabsolutely compelled to leave. One of them might be able to return inabout two weeks, but they had to find a reliable person in the meantimewho could nurse the child. This was terribly difficult for them asstrangers. The doctor's advice was to bring the young invalid to thehospital in Sils, where she would be well taken care of and he could seeher every day. The ladies wanted my opinion before deciding. Theyrealize that doctors always favor hospitals because the care of theirpatients is made simple and easy, so they wondered if I advised them tohave the young girl sent there. I told them that the place was not atall badly equipped, but that it was rather small, and the patients wereof course very mixed. When I asked the ladies if it would not be betterif the child's parents decided that difficult question, I received theinformation that Leonore von Wallerstätten was an orphan and that theaunt who had put her in their care had also died. "

"Oh, Philip, now there is no doubt any more that she is our Leonore'slittle daughter, " Mrs. Maxa cried in the greatest agitation. "Oh, Philip, how could you ever advise them to send her to the hospital? Whydidn't you say right away that your sister would immediately take thechild into her house. "

"How could I do that? Just think a moment, Maxa!" said the brother. "Didyou want me to add to your troubles and anxieties by bringing a patientsick with fever into your house? It might turn out to be a dangerousillness, which all your five might catch; what should you have said to methen?"

"Philip, I shall go to Sils with you to-morrow and I'll ask you to takeme to the ladies. I want them to know who I am, of course. I shall tellthem that I have the right as her mother's nearest friend to receiveLeonore into my house and to nurse her. I am sure that the littlepatient can take the trip in your closed carriage. You can quickly go tothe doctor to tell him of our plan and have the carriage sent to us. Please do this for me, Philip! I can't stand that the child of ourLeonore should go to a strange hospital all by herself. "

Mrs. Maxa had spoken with such decision that her brother had listened toher in greatest surprise. 

"So you have resolved to carry this through, Maxa? Are you sure that youwon't have to take it all back after your excitement has vanished?" heasked her. 

"You can rely on me, Philip. I have absolutely made up my mind to doit, " the sister assured him. "You must help me now to put it through. Ishall be able to take care of things when she gets here, but do all inyour power to prevent the ladies from putting obstacles in my path. Yousee, I do not even know them. "

"I shall do whatever you wish, " the listener said willingly. "Itcertainly is hard to tell where a woman will set up complaints and whereshe will suddenly not know either fear or obstacles! I have already toldthe two Miss Remkes about you. As soon as I knew the child's name, Irealized the situation. I told the ladies about your being the bestfriend of their charge's mother, and that you would surely go to see hernow and then in the hospital. This pleased them greatly. "

Uncle Philip began now to lay minute plans for the morrow. His sisterhad to give her promise to be ready very early in order to reach Sils ingood time, for the patient was to be taken to the hospital in the courseof the forenoon. He also gave her all the needed instructions relatingto the coachman and the carriage. 

She listened quietly till he had finished and then said, "I have somenews for you, too. Just think! Baron Bruno has come back. He arrived inthe middle of the night when nobody could see him. He is absolutelyalone now in the desolate castle. Just imagine how he must feel to bewithin those walls again where he spent his happy years with all thoseloved ones he has not seen since he left the castle in a fit of terror. "

"Yes, and why did it happen? Wasn't it his own will?" the brother saidharshly. "Whenever you speak about him, your voice takes on a tone as ifyou were speaking about a misunderstood angel. Why did the raging lioncome back all of a sudden?"

"Please, Philip, don't be so hard!" his sister said, "He is entirely leftalone now. Is sorrow easier to bear when it is our own doing? I heardthat he was ill. That is probably the reason why he has come home. Iknow all this from Apollonie, who is in communication with Mr. Trius. She keeps on scheming to find a way to set the rooms in order for heryoung master, as she still calls him. She knows how his mother wouldwish everything to be for her son. I understand quite well that sheworries night and day about the state things are in at the castle. Herformer master has for nurse, servant, cook and valet only that peculiarand ancient Mr. Trius. She can hardly think about it without wishingthat she might do something for her old friend. The poor woman is soanxious to make his life at the castle a little more the way it used tobe in the old times. "

"For heaven's sake, Maxa, I hope you are not trying to interfere. Do youintend to undertake that, too?" the brother exclaimed in perturbation. "If he wanted things different, he certainly would find a way. Pleasehave nothing to do with it, otherwise you'll be sorry. "

"You can be perfectly reassured, for unfortunately nothing whatever canbe done, " Mrs. Maxa replied. "If I had known a way to do something forhim, I should have done it. My great wish is to let a little sunshineinto the closed up, sombre rooms, and may be even a little deeper. I hadgreat hopes of doing something through Apollonie, who knows so much aboutthe castle, but she has explained the state of affairs to me. She wasgoing to enter and take things in hand as soon as she heard from Mr. Trius that her master had returned, for she still considers herself hisservant as in times gone by. It was her intention, naturally, to puteverything into the usual order in the house. But Mr. Trius won't evenlet her go into the garden. He let her know that he had received ordersnot to let anyone into the place. His master knew no one here and had nointention of meeting anyone. I know quite well, therefore, that I shallhe unable to gratify my great desire of doing something for thatmiserable, lonely man. "

"So much the better, " the brother said, quite relieved. "I am glad thatthe villain has bolted you out himself. If I should have tried to keepyou out, you certainly would have found means to resist me, I know. "

"I willingly admit it, " Mrs. Maxa replied with a smile. "But Philip, Ishould consider it wise for us to go to bed now, if we have to make anearly start to Sils to-morrow. "

Brother and sister separated, but Mrs. Maxa had many arrangements tomake before she came to rest. If the ladies would consent to put thelittle girl in her charge, she meant to bring her immediately home withher. Therefore everything had to be made ready for the little patient. 

About midnight Mrs. Maxa still went to and fro in a bedroom on the topfloor, which was entirely isolated. When everything necessary had beenmade ready, she tried to place various embellishments in the littlechamber. Finally she placed in the middle of the table a round bowl, which was to be filled to-morrow with the most beautiful roses from hergarden. Mrs. Maxa wanted the child of her adored Leonore to receive apleasant impression from her room in the strange new house. When themorning sun would shine in through the open windows and the green slopeof the castle would send its greeting to her, she did not want littleLeonore to feel dissatisfied with her new quarters. With this thoughtMrs. Maxa happily closed the door of the room behind her and sought outher own chamber. 

CHAPTER VI

NEW FRIENDS

Early next morning brother and sister started towards the valley. Beforegoing Mrs. Maxa had given her orders and had arranged for Mäzli to spendthe day with Apollonie, in order to prevent her from getting intomischief. As it was a sunshiny morning and the paths were dry, walkingwas delightful. The distance they had to traverse occupied about twohours, but it did not seem long. As soon as brother and sister arrivedin Sils, they went to see the two Misses Remke. Both ladies werekneeling before a large trunk, surrounded by heaps of clothes, shoes, books and boxes, and a hundred trifles besides. When the visitorsarrived, they immediately stood before the open door of the room used forpacking. 

Mrs. Maxa's first impulse was to withdraw with an excuse, but the ladieshad jumped up already and most cordially greeted their kind friend, MrFalcon, whom they called their helper and saviour in all difficulties. They received his sister joyfully, too, for they had been most eager toknow her. Both ladies regretted that their meeting had to take place ina moment when their house appeared in its most unfavorable light. Mrs. Maxa assured them, however, that she understood the preparations fortheir impending trip and said that she would not disturb them longer thanwas necessary. She intended, therefore, to voice her requestimmediately. Mr. Falcon, steering straight for some chairs he haddiscovered, brought them for the ladies despite all the assorted objectson the floor. Mrs. Maxa spoke of her intention of taking the child toher house and her sincere hope that there would be no objection and theladies could feel their visitor's great eagerness manifested in herwords. They on their part did not hide the great relief which thisprospect gave them and were extremely glad to leave their young charge insuch good hands. 

"It has been very hard for us to decide to leave Leonore behind, " one ofthem said. "Unfortunately we must go, and she is not able to travel. But as long as our plans seem to coincide so well, I shall ask you if itwould be inconvenient to you if we put off the date of our return a weeklonger. You must realize that we are taking the journey for the sake ofour sick mother, and that everything is uncertain in such a case. Onecan never tell what change may come, and we might wish to stay a littlelonger. "

Mrs. Maxa hastened to assure them that nothing could suit her betterthan to keep Leonore in her house for several weeks and she promised tosend frequent news about the little girl's state of health. She beggedthem not to be anxious about her and not to hurry back for Leonore'ssake. As she was longing to see the child instead of remaining in theirway, she begged to be allowed to greet Leonore. She was sure that herbrother, who had already risen, also wanted to take his leave. As soonas he had seen how completely the ladies entered into his sister's plans, he wished to arrange the details and so said that he was now going to thedoctor in order to get his permission for the little trip. Afterobtaining this, as he sincerely hoped to do, he would prepare thecarriage and send it directly to the house, as it was important for thepatient to make the journey during the best portion of the day. Thereupon he hastened off. 

One of the ladies took Mrs. Maxa to the sick room, which was situated inthe uppermost story. 

"You won't find Leonore alone, " she said, "her brother is with her. Heis taking a trip through Switzerland with his teacher and some friends, and came here ahead of them in order to see his sister. His travellingcompanions will join him here to-morrow, and then they are all going backto Germany. "

"I fear that the poor boy will lose his day with his sister if I take herwith me, " Mrs. Maxa said regretfully. 

"Well, that can't be altered, " the lady quickly replied. "We are allonly too happy that you are willing to take Leonore into your house. Whoknows how her stay in the hospital might have turned out? Poor Leonorewas so frightened by the thought; but we knew no other way. It does notmatter about her brother's visit, because they can see each other againin Hanover, for he is at a boarding school there. "

The lady now opened a door and led Mrs. Maxa into a room. 

"Leonore, look, here is Mrs. Bergmann, a great friend of your mother's. "Miss Remke said, "and I am sure you will be glad of the news she isbringing you. I shall accept your kind permission to get back to my worknow, Mrs. Bergmann. Everything is ready for Leonore, because she was toleave for the hospital very shortly. "

With these words she went out. The sick child sat completely dressed ona bed in the corner of the room, half reclining on the pillows. 

Mrs. Maxa had to agree with her brother who had said that she had hermother's large, speaking eyes, the same soft brown curls, and the sameserious expression on her delicately shaped little face. Mrs. Maxawould have easily recognized the child even without knowing her name. Leonore only looked more serious still; in fact, her glance was extremelysad and at that moment tears were hanging on her lashes, for she had beencrying. The boy sitting by her got up and made a bow to the new arrival. He had his father's gay blue eyes and his clear, open brow. After givinghim her hand Mrs. Maxa stepped up to the bed to greet Leonore and was sodeeply moved that she could barely speak. 

"My dear child, " she said, seizing both slender hands, "you resemble yourmother so much that I have to greet you as my own beloved child. I lovedher very much and we meant a great deal to each other. You remind me ofboth your father and mother, Salo. What happiness my friendship withyour parents has brought me! I want you both to be my children now, foryour parents were the best friends I ever had in the world. "

This speech apparently met a response in the two children's hearts. Asanswer Leonore took Mrs. Maxa's hand and held it tight between her own, and Salo came close to her to show what confidence he felt. Then he saidjoyfully: "Oh, I am so glad that you have come; you must help me comfortLeonore. She is terribly afraid of the hospital and all the strangepeople there. She even imagines that she will die there alone andforsaken and was crying because she thinks that we won't see each otheragain. I have to go so far away and I can't help it. To-morrow they arecoming to fetch me and then I have to go back to school. What shall wedo?"

"As to that, " Mrs. Maxa replied, "nothing can be done. But if Leonorehas to spend a little while in the hospital, she won't be an absolutestranger there. I won't let you be lonely for I shall often go to seeyou, dear child, and it is not even quite certain that you have to gothere. "

"Oh, yes, they are going to take me there this morning, maybe quitesoon, " said Leonore. Listening anxiously, she again grasped Mrs. Maxa'shand as if it were her safety anchor. 

Mrs. Maxa did not gainsay her, because she did not yet know what thedoctor might decide. All she could do to calm Leonore was to tell herthat she was not dangerously ill. She might recover very quickly if sheonly stayed quiet for a while. In that case she could soon see herbrother again, for the ladies had promised to take her home as soon asshe was well. 

Mrs. Maxa had hardly said that when Leonore's eyes again began to fillwith tears. 

"But I don't feel at home there. We really have no home anywhere, " shesaid with suppressed sobs. 

"Yes, it is true; we have no home anywhere, " Salo exclaimed passionately. "But, Leonore, you must have faith in me!" Fighting against his risingagitation, he quickly wiped away a tear from his eyes, which were usuallyso bright. "It won't be so long till I have finished my studies and thenI can do what I please. Then I shall try to find a little house for usboth, which will be our home. I am going to get that if I have to workfor twenty years in the fields till it is paid for. "

Salo's eyes had become sunny again during this speech. He looked as ifhe would not have minded seizing a hoe that very moment. 

Rapid steps were now heard approaching, the door was quickly opened, andMiss Remke called out on entering: "The carriage is at the door. Let usget ready, for I do not want the gentleman to wait. I am sure you willbe so kind as to help me lift Leonore out of bed and to carry her downstairs. "

Leonore had grown as white as a sheet from fright. 

"May I ask if it is my brother's carriage, or--" Mrs. Maxa hesitated alittle. 

"Yes, certainly, " the lady interrupted, while she rapidly pulled somecovers and shawls out of a wardrobe. "Your brother has come himself inorder to see that the carriage is well protected. He also means to givethe coachman the directions himself, but we must not keep him waiting. What a kind friend he is!"

Mrs. Maxa had already lifted Leonore from her bed and was carrying herout. 

"Please bring all the necessary things downstairs. I can do this easilyalone, for she is as light as a feather, " she called back to the lady whohad hastened after her in order to help. 

Going downstairs Mrs Maxa said, "Leonore, I am going to take you homewith me now. The doctor is letting me do what I wished: you will staywith me till you are well again, and I shall take care of you. Shall youlike to come with me? We know each other a little already and I hope youwon't feel so strange with us. "

Leonore, flinging both arms about Mrs. Maxa's neck, held her so tightthat she could feel the little girl considered her no stranger anylonger. 

Suddenly Leonore called back in jubilating tones, "Salo, Salo, did youhear?"

Salo had heard her call but comprehended nothing further. Miss Remke hadpiled such heaps of shawls and covers on his arms that one always sliddown after the other and he was obliged to pick them up again. Asquickly as the circumstances allowed, he ran after his sister. 

Arrived at the carriage, Mrs. Maxa immediately looked about for herbrother. She wanted to hand Leonore to him while she prepared everythingin the conveyance for the child's comfort. 

He was already there. Understanding his sister's sign, he took the childinto his arms, then lifted her gently into the carriage. His glance wassuddenly arrested by the boy, who was standing beside the carriage withhis burdens. 

With the most joyful surprise he exclaimed, "As sure as I am born thismust be a young Salo. It is written in his eyes. Give me your hand, boy. Your father was my friend, my best friend in the world; so we mustbe friends, too. "

Salo's eyes expressed more and more surprise. This manner of being takento a hospital seemed very odd to him. The strangest of all, however, wasthat Leonore sat in the corner of the carriage smiling contentedly, forMrs. Maxa had just whispered something into her ear. 

"Do we have to say good-bye now, Leonore, " Salo asked, jumping up thecarriage step, "and can't I see you any more?"

"Salo, " Mrs. Maxa said, "I was just thinking that you could sit besidethe coachman if you want to. You can drive to Nolla with us, for youwill want to see where Leonore is going. I can have you brought backto-morrow in time to meet your friends. Do you approve of that, Philip?"

"Certainly, certainly, " the brother answered, "but if that is the plan, Iam going along. I thought at first that this trip would prove a verymournful one. It seems more like a festal-journey to me now, so I'vecome, too. Salo and I will sit high up and to-morrow I promise to bringhim back here. "

With shining eyes the boy climbed to the seat which the coachman had justrelinquished. He understood now that the hospital was not to be theirdestination. With many hearty handshakes and good wishes the two Remkeladies at last let their friend and adviser go. After many more lastgreetings to all the party the carriage finally rolled towards thevalley. 

Leonore was so exhausted that, leaning against her companion, she fellasleep, but she staunchly held on to Mrs. Maxa's hand, which seemed toher that of a loving mother. It was the first time in her life that shehad felt this. 

On the high seat outside the conversation was extremely lively. YoungSalo had to tell where and how he lived, and then his companion explainedin turn the places they were passing through and told him whateverunusual had happened in the neighborhood. The uncle found out thatneither Salo nor his sister had the slightest remembrance of theirparents. The boy's earliest memory went back to an estate in Holsteinwhere they had lived with an elderly great-aunt, his grandmother'ssister. They were about five or six years old when the aunt died, afterwhich they were sent to Hanover to their present abode. 

Twice a year a relation of their great-aunt came to see them, but he wassuch a stiff, quiet gentleman that they could not enjoy his visits. Itwas, however, this man who always decided what was to be done with them. For the present they were to remain where they were till Salo hadfinished his studies. After that the choice where to settle was left tothem. 

"But I know what I shall do first of all, " Salo added with sparklingeyes. 

Just then the old castle came in view. 

"Oh, what a wonderful castle with great towers!" Salo exclaimed. "It isall closed up; there can't be anybody living there. It doesn't seem tobe in ruins, though. What is it called?"

"This is Castle Wildenstein, " the boy's companion curtly answered, throwing a searching glance at the young Baron. The latter lookedinnocently up at the gray towers, remarking that anybody who owned acastle like that would simply be the happiest man in the world. 

"He knows nothing about the castle of his ancestors and the whole tragicstory. So much the better, " said Uncle Philip to himself. 

When the carriage drove up before Mrs. Maxa's door, everything was veryquiet there, for the children were still in school. Kathy came runningtowards them with astonished eyes. She did not know at all what wasgoing on, and that was a novelty for her. 

Salo had the reins pressed into his hands before he knew it. With abound his new friend had jumped to the ground and called back, "If youdon't move, the horses will stay quiet, too. " Quickly opening thecarriage, he lifted Leonore out and carried her up to the little roomwhich had been got ready for her. Mrs. Maxa followed at his heels. Hethen turned hurriedly back to his young substitute, for he felt a littleuneasy at the thought of what might happen to the horses and carriage. The boy might want to drive about and the horses might begin to jump. But no; stiff and immovable, the boy sat at his post, firmly holding thereins. 

Even now when a party of eight feet came running towards him, Salo didnot move. The calls of "Uncle Philip, Uncle Philip!" sounded with morevigor than usual, because the children had not expected him back so soon, and therefore had to celebrate his coming with double energy. UnclePhilip was immediately surrounded, and eight arms held him so tight thatthere was no use in struggling. 

"Just look at my young nobleman up there, " he said, vainly trying to getfree. "He certainly knows what it means to remain firmly at his post anddo his duty. If he had not held the reins tightly, your wild cries wouldhave driven horses and carriage down the ravine long ago. "

All arms suddenly dropped and all eyes were directed towards the figureon the coachman's seat. In the unexpected joy of their uncle's returnnobody had noticed the boy. Uncle Philip, who was free now, let Salo getdown and introduced him to the children. 

Salo had a friendly greeting for every one and his eyes sparkled gailywhen he shook their hands. His whole appearance was so attractive andengaging that the children immediately took a liking to him. With livelygestures they surrounded him like an old acquaintance, so that Saloquickly felt that he had come among good friends. Even the reservedBruno, whom nobody had ever been able to approach, linked Salo's armconfidentially in his in order to conduct the guest into the house. 

Here Bruno sat down beside Salo and the two were immediately immersed inthe most eager conversation. Mea, Kurt and Lippo were hunting everywherefor their mother, for they had not the faintest idea where she had gone. 

When Uncle Philip came back, he called them together and told them wheretheir mother was and what she wished them to know through him. As shehad brought a sick child with her, she could have no intercourse with thechildren for two or three days. The doctor had also forbidden them to goup to the sick-room, and they were to do the best they could during thattime. If the sickness should get worse, a nurse was to come to the houseand then the mother would be free again. If the illness was to beslight, on the contrary, the children would be admitted to the sick-roomand make Leonore's acquaintance. They could even help a little in hercare, for the mother would not then be obliged to keep them apart. Mäzliwas to be sent to Apollonie every morning and was to spend the day there. Not to be able to have a glimpse of their mother for two or three dayswas depressing news indeed. The three children's faces were absolutelydisconcerted, for the obstacles were clearly insurmountable. 

"Well, is this so terrible?" Uncle Philip said cheerily. "Who needs tolet his wings droop? Just think if you were in the place of the sickgirl, who has no mother at all! Can't you let her have yours for a fewdays? No? Just think what is to follow. Your mother will come down thenand bring you a new playmate. Leonore is friendly and charming and hassweeter manners than you have ever seen. Kurt is sure to make dozens ofsongs about her and Mea will be carried away with enthusiasm for her. Lippo will find an affectionate protectress in her who will be able toappreciate his little-recognized virtues. Are you satisfied now?"

This speech really had splendid results. All three were willing enoughnow to let the sick Leonore have their mother, and they were anxiousbesides to do everything in their power to make Leonore's recoveryspeedy. The uncle's description of the new playmate had wakened such alively sympathy in them that they were ready to assist him in many ways, and he was even obliged to cool their zeal. As their guest was to remainsuch a short while, Uncle Philip suggested a walk in order to show himthe surroundings, but when they looked around for Salo, they could notfind either him or Bruno. 

"They thought of the same thing, " Uncle Philip said. "It will be greatfun to hunt for them. " So they started off. 

Uncle Philip had guessed right. Bruno had found his new friend so muchto his liking that he wanted to keep him entirely to himself. While theuncle had talked with the younger children, he had led Salo out to takehim on a stroll in the beautiful sunset. Salo was perfectly satisfied, too, as he felt himself likewise drawn towards Bruno. In this short timethe two boys had grown as confiding as if they had known each other foryears and they were just then wandering towards the castle hill, absorbedin lively conversation. 

"Can you guess why I am taking you up there?" Bruno suddenly asked, interrupting the talk. 

"Because it is so lovely, " Salo replied quickly. 

He had stopped walking and was looking across the flowering meadowstowards the castle over which rosy clouds were floating on the brightevening sky. 

"No, not for that reason, " said Bruno, "but because it belongs to anuncle of yours. "

Salo looked at him, full of astonishment. 

"But Bruno, what an idea!" he called out laughing. "That would not be sobad, but it can't be true. We only have one uncle, who has been livingin Spain for a number of years and who expects to stay there. "

"The castle belongs to just that uncle who lives in Spain, " Brunoasserted. 

He reminded Salo of the fact that their mothers had known each otherwhile living in the castle and had grown to be such friends there. Saloadmitted this but was firmly persuaded that the castle had long sincebeen sold and that his uncle would never come back, he had heard thatfrom his great-aunt. So Bruno had to agree with him that the castle hadprobably been sold, if the uncle did not think of returning. 

"Do you know, Salo, " said Bruno while they continued their walk, "Ishould love to do what your uncle did. I want to go away from here anddisappear for a long time. Then I would not be obliged to be fettered tothose two horrid boys. I can't stand it, and you now know yourself whatthey are like. "

Bruno had described his two comrades to his new friend, their meanattitude and their frequent and contemptible tricks. Salo had repeatedlyshown his feeling by sudden exclamations and he said now with comfortingsympathy, "I am sure it must make you feel like running away if you areobliged to spend all your days with two such boys. But don't listen tothem, pay no attention to them, and let them do and say what they please. If they want to be mean, let them be, for they can't make you different. "

"Oh, if you could be with me, that would be much easier, " Bruno said. "Ishould know then that you felt with me and shared my anger. When I amcompelled to be alone with them and they do sneaky acts to people whocan't defend themselves, I always get so mad that I have to beat them. That always brings nasty talk and makes my mother unhappy, and then Ifeel worse than ever. If only I could go far away and never have to meetthem any more!"

"If you had an idea what it is like not to have any home at all, youwould not wish to leave yours without even knowing where to go, " saidSalo. "You would not think that anything was too hard to bear if youcould go home and tell your mother all about it. If you have thatconsolation, it should make you able to stand a lot of trouble. Ishouldn't mind living with those two during school term, if I could go toa place during the holidays that were a real home for me and Leonore. Every time I come to her she cries about having no home in the whole wideworld. I try to think out something so that we won't have to wait solong before we can live together. But that is hard to carry out, for thegentleman in Holstein who decides about our upbringing wants me to studyfor many years. That will take much too long. Leonore might even diebefore that, and I want to do it all for her. I am so glad now thatLeonore has fallen ill and has therefore come to you, " he said with abrighter glance. "I wish she would stay sick for a while--of course notawfully sick, " he corrected himself rapidly, "I mean just sick enough sothat your mother would not let her go. I know quite well how happyLeonore will be with her. She was so kind and friendly with us rightaway. Since our old aunt died nobody has been so good and sweet with usas your mother and that will do more good to Leonore than anything elseon earth. "

Salo's words made a deep impression on Bruno. He had never beforerealized that everyone did not have a lovely home like his, and a motherbesides who was always ready to greet him affectionately, who could betold everything, could help him bear everything, who shared all hisexperiences and had a sympathy like no one else. All this he hadaccepted as if it could not be otherwise. Now came the realization thatthings might be different. Poor Salo and his sister, for instance, hadto suffer bitterly from missing what he had always enjoyed to the fullwithout thinking about it. He was seized with a sudden sympathy for hisnew friend, who looked so refined and charming, and who already had tobear such sorrow for himself and his sister. Bruno now flung behind himall the thoughts and schemes he had had in connection with his comingfate and with all the fire of his nature he fastened on the thought ofdoing everything in his power to help Salo. He wanted to further hisfriend's plan to found a home for himself and his sister as soon aspossible. That was something much more important than his disinclinationto DC with the Knippel boys. 

"Now I shall not think about anything but what you can do to make yourplan come true, " he said at the conclusion of his meditation. "If thereare two of us who are so set on finding a way we are sure to succeedsomehow. "

"It seems so wonderful to me, " said Salo, quite overcome by Bruno's warmsympathy. "I have various friends in boarding school, but there isn'tone to whom I could have told what I am always thinking about, as I havetold you. You are so different from them. Will you be my friend?"

Bruno firmly grasped Salo's proffered hand and cried out with beamingeyes, "Yes, Salo, I will be your friend my whole life long. I wish Icould do you a favor, too, as you have done me. "

"But I have not done anything for you, " Salo said with surprise. 

"Oh, yes, you have. Now that I know I have a friend I have lost my dreadof living with the Knippel boys. I know that I can let them do as theyplease, for I'll know that I have a friend who thinks as I do and wouldhave the same feeling about their actions, I'll be able to tell youeverything, and you will tell me what you think. I can let them aloneand think of you. "

"Do you know, Bruno, the way I feel a real friendship ought to be?" Salosaid with glowing eyes, for this had made him happy, too. "I think itought to be this way: if we have to hear of anything that is ugly, meanor rough, we ought to think right away: I have a friend who would neverdo such a thing. If we hear of something though that pleases us, becauseit is fine, noble and great, we should think again: My friend would dothe same. Don't you agree with me?"

Bruno judged himself very severely, because his mother had held up hisown faults to him so that he knew them very well. He repliedhesitatingly, "I wish one could always be the way one wants to be. Wouldyou give up trusting a friend right away if he did not act the way youexpected him to?"

"No, no, " Salo said quickly, "such a friend could not trust me any moreeither. I mean it differently. The friend ought to hate to do wrong andought to want to do right. He ought to be most sorry if he did not comeup to the best. "

Bruno could now gladly and joyfully assent. Suddenly the two boys heardtheir names called out loudly. Turning round they saw Kurt and Lippohurrying towards them and the uncle following with Mea at a slower pace. 

"Wait, wait!" Kurt cried out so loudly that the echo sounded back againfrom the castle, "Wait, wait!"

The two friends were doing just what had been asked of them, for theywere sitting quietly on the turf. The brothers had now reached them, andMea soon followed with the uncle, whose face showed signs ofperturbation. 

"I hope you have not run up to the castle with Salo, Bruno, " he cried outwith agitation. 

"Oh, no, uncle, " Bruno replied, "we sat down here on the way up. I justwanted to show Salo the castle that belonged to his uncle, but he doesnot know anything about it. He thinks that it has been sold long agobecause he never heard about it. "

"Good!" said Uncle Philip with satisfaction. "Now let us quickly gohome. It is not right to starve a guest on his first visit; he mightnever come again. "

"Oh, I certainly shall, Mr. --, " here Salo hesitated, "I do not rememberthe name, " he added, quite concerned. 

"My name here is Uncle Philip, " the kind gentleman answered, "just UnclePhilip, nothing else!"

"Am I allowed to call you Uncle, too? That makes me feel so much athome!" Salo exclaimed after nodding cordially. "Well, Uncle Philip, Imean to come to you again with the keenest pleasure every time I aminvited. I would even come with the greatest joy if you never gave meanything to eat. "

"No, no, we don't have institutions for starving people, " Uncle Philipreplied. "We are returning home now to a little feast I have told Kathyto get ready. It will consist mostly of country dishes. Our guest mustknow he has been received by friends. "

"Oh, Uncle Philip, I felt that the first moment I met you, " Saloexclaimed. 

The little group now strolled happily down the incline towards the house. 

Mäzli was standing in the doorway with eyes as big as saucers. She hadreceived the news from Kathy that they were to have omeletteapple-soufflé, ham-pudding, sour milk and sweet biscuits for supper inhonour of a charming guest and Uncle Philip, who had come back. So Mäzlilooked out at them, and as soon as they were near enough, studied Salovery carefully. 

He must have pleased her, for she quickly ran towards him and, reachingout her hand, said, "Won't you stay with us for a while?"

Salo laughed: "Yes, I should love to. "

Taking him by the hand, Mäzli led him into the house and to the roomwhere the inviting table was already set. Kathy had been so many yearsin the house that she knew exactly how things ought to be. Everyone satdown now and Uncle Philip was amusingly talking. Everything he hadordered for the meal tasted so delightfully that it seemed like a feastto them and Salo said, "I should never have been able to conceive such awonderful end of my holidays, if I had imagined the most marvellous thingin the world. "

"If Salo could only stay here a few days, if only _one_ day more, " Brunourged. All the rest were of the same opinion and they loudly beggedUncle Philip to persuade him to spend the next day with them. Theythought that even one day together would be perfect for everyone. 

"Yes, and for me most of all, " said Salo, "but I cannot. My teacher andcomrades are coming to fetch me at Sils to-morrow at ten o'clock. Thisis absolutely settled and there is not the slightest chance for mystaying here, even if I wished it more than anything in the world. "

"That is right, Salo, that is the way to talk, " Uncle Philip said. "Whathas to be, has to be, even if we don't like it. Please do not beg himany more to stay. Let us play a nice game now and let us enjoy ourselveswhile he is with us. "

Uncle Philip soon started the game, and their merry mood returned withthe fun. 

At the exact time when their mother always called the little ones for bedLippo cried, "Uncle Philip, we must sing the evening song now and afterthat Mäzli and I must go to bed. "

This did not suit Mäzli at all, however, for she was full of the gamejust then. Salo, who was sitting beside her, had been so funny, that itsuited her better to stay here than to go to bed, Quickly climbing up theuncle's chair from behind, she put both round arms caressingly about hisneck and whispered in his ear, "Oh, darling Uncle Philip, to-day is afeast-day, isn't it? Can't we stay up a little longer? The game is suchfun and it's so tiresome to go to bed. "

"Yes, yes, it is a feast-day, " the uncle assented; "the little ones canstay up a little longer. Let us all keep on playing. "

Mäzli joyfully skipped back to her place, and the merriment was resumed. The game, which was very amusing, was made more so by Uncle Philip'sfunny remarks. Nobody had noticed therefore how quiet Mäzli had grown. 

Salo suddenly remarked, "Oh, look! Mäzli is sound asleep. She is nearlytumbling from her chair. " And the little girl would have dropped had notSalo held her by quickly putting his arm about her. 

Uncle Philip went to her. 

"Come, Mäzli, come, " he said encouragingly, "open your eyes quickly andMea will take you to bed. "

"No, no, " Mäzli lamented, and would not move. 

"But you must! Just look, we are all going, " the uncle said vigorously. "Do you want to stay behind?"

"No, no, no, " Mäzli moaned, full of misery. 

"Mea, give her some cake, " the uncle ordered, "then she'll wake up. "

"We have no cake, uncle, " Mea replied. 

"What, you don't have a thing so necessary as that in a house full ofchildren! Well, I shall get some to-morrow, " he said, quite agitated. "Do you want a candy, Mäzli? Come, just taste how sweet it is. "

"No, no, no, " Mäzli moaned again in such sorrowful tones as no one hadever heard from the energetic little child. 

Suddenly a most disturbing thought shot through the uncle's brain:"Suppose the child has already caught the fever? What should I do? Whatought one to do?" he cried out with growing anxiety. 

Kathy had entered the room in the meantime to see if anything more wasneeded. 

"That is the way, Mr. Falcon, " she said, going up to Mäzli, and quicklylifting her in her strong arms, she carried her upstairs. Despite allher lamenting the child was then undressed and put to bed. In theshortest time she was sound asleep again without a trace of fever. 

"Well, that's over now, " Uncle Philip said, quite relieved when Kathycame back with the news. "I really think that the time has come for usall to seek our beds. Lippo actually looks as if he could not stand onhis little legs. "

The boy was as white as chalk from staying up so late. From time to timehe tried to open his eyes, but they always fell shut again. The uncle, taking his hand, wanted to lead him away, but he fought against it. 

"Uncle Philip, we have not sung the evening song yet, " he said, clutchingthe piano. 

"Mercy!" the uncle cried out disturbed. "Is this going to start now? No, no, Lippo, it is much too late to-night. You can sing two songsto-morrow, then everything will be straightened out. "

"Then we shall have sung two songs to-morrow, but none to-day, " Lippobegan in a complaining voice, holding on to the piano and pulling hisuncle towards him. 

"Nothing can be done, we have to do it, " Uncle Philip said withresignation, for he knew the obstinacy of his godson in regard to allcustoms. 

"Kurt, you can tell me about the songs; please find the shortest in thesong-book, or we shall have to sing till to-morrow morning. Please spareus such a miserable scene. But wait, Kurt! The song must have a tune Ican sing, for as nobody plays the piano, I have to set the tune. Do youwant to sing with us, too, Salo, or is it too late for you? You canretire if you prefer. You go upstairs to the room at the right corner. "

"Oh, no, I want to stay as long as anybody is left, " Salo replied. "Ishall enjoy singing and doing everything with you. It is all so funnyand strange. "

Kurt had chosen a suitable song and Uncle Philip began it so vigorouslythat everybody could join and a full-voiced chorus was formed. Lippo'svoice sounded dreadfully weak, but he sang every note to the last word, fighting mightily against his growing sleepiness. Now the little companycould wander upstairs to their respective rooms without further obstacle. 

"Oh, " Uncle Philip breathed relieved when they had reached the top. "Atleast we are as far as this. It really is an undertaking to keep inorder a handful of children where one always differs from the last. NowI have luckily gotten through for today. What? Not yet? What is thematter, Bruno?"

The latter, approaching his uncle with clear signs that he wanted him forsomething, had pulled him aside. 

"I want to ask you for something, " said Bruno. "I wonder if you will dome a great favor, Uncle Philip. Salo and I have so much to talk aboutstill and he must leave to-morrow, I wanted to ask you if Kurt can sleepbeside you in the guest room and Salo could sleep in Kurt's bed in myroom. "

"What are you thinking of, " the uncle said irritably. "You should hearwhat your mother would say to that. The idea of having a Wallerstättenfor a guest and offering him a bed which has been used already. Thatwould seem a real crime in her eyes. That can't be; no, it mustn't. Ihope you can see it, too, don't you?"

"Yes, " Bruno said, much depressed, for he had to agree. But Uncle couldnot stand such downcast spirits. 

"Listen, Bruno, " he said, "you realize that we can't do it that way. Butan uncle knows how to arrange things and that is why he is here. This isthe way we'll do. I'll sleep in your bed, and Salo and you can sleep inthe guest-room. Will that suit?"

"Oh, thank you, Uncle Philip! There is no other uncle like you, " Brunocried out in his enthusiasm. 

So Uncle Philip's last difficulty was solved for to-day and everybody waswilling to go to bed. Soon the house lay in deep quiet: even the sickchild in the highest story lay calmly sleeping on her cool pillows. Shedid not even notice when Mrs. Maxa stepped up once more to her bedsidewith a little lamp. Before herself retiring she wanted to listen oncemore to the child's breathing. Only the two new friends were stilltalking long after midnight. 

They understood each other so thoroughly and upon all points that Brunohad proposed in his enthusiasm that they would not waste one minute ofthe night in sleep. Salo expressed his wish over and over again thatBruno might become his comrade in the boarding school. But finallyvictorious sleep stole unperceived over the two lads and quietly closedtheir eyes. 

CHAPTER VII

THE MOTHER'S ABSENCE HAS CONSEQUENCES

Next morning Salo was allowed to go into his sister's room in order tosay good-bye to her. She looked at him so cheerfully that he asked witheager delight, "Do you feel so much better already, Leonore?"

"Oh, yes, I feel as if I were at home, " she replied with shining eyes. "I feel as if our mother had come down from heaven to take care of me. "

"When you can get up and go downstairs you will be happier still. I knowhow much you will enjoy meeting the whole family, " said Salo. "Then youwill feel as if you were in a real home that belongs to you. "

"It is such a shame that you have to go, " Leonore sighed, but this timethe tears did not come quite so urgently. How things had changed sinceyesterday--how different it was now to stay behind!

At this moment Mrs. Maxa entered the room. 

She had left it as she wanted to give brother and sister an opportunityto see each other alone, but the time had come for Salo to depart, and hewas obliged to leave his sister. To-day it seemed harder for him to goaway than leave Leonore behind. 

"I can't even say that I wish you to come soon. I have to hope that youcan remain here a long while, " he said cheerily, while Leonore wassmiling bravely. Uncle Philip, ready for the journey, stood beside thecarriage. All the children ran towards Salo as soon as he appeared, andwhen he said good-bye, he was treated like a friend of the family of manyyears' standing. Each of the children showed his grief in a specialmanner. Mäzli cried loudly over and over again, "Oh, Salo, please comesoon again, please come soon again. "

When the carriage was rolling away and the handkerchiefs that flutteredhim last greetings were all Salo could see from the distance, he rapidlybrushed away a few tears. He had never felt so thoroughly at homeanywhere in the world before. How happy he had been! The thought ofgoing far away and possibly never coming back gave him a little pang ofgrief. 

When the children returned at noon from school they were still full oftheir vivid impression of Salo's sudden appearance and departure. Theywere all anxious to tell their mother about it, because they knew thatthey could always count on her lively sympathy. One or the other of thechildren kept forgetting that the mother must not be sought and wouldabsent-mindedly make an attempt to go upstairs, but they were always metby unexpected resistance. Lippo on his arrival home from school hadposted himself there to see that his mother's orders were strictly kept. He also had missed her desperately, but he had nevertheless rememberedher injunctions and was quite certain that the others might forget andact contrary to her orders. Placing himself on the first step, he wouldhold any of his brothers or sisters with both hands when they cametowards him as they dashed upstairs. When he cried out loudly, "Wemustn't do it, we mustn't do it, " they ran away again, quite frightened, for his horrified shrieks might have penetrated into the sick-room. Kathy was the only one who appreciated Lippo's worth. She had receivedorders to remind the children of the strict command, and she knew quitewell from previous experiences that she could never have succeeded aseffectively as he. Mäzli, meanwhile, was sitting at Apollonie's table, gayly eating a snow-white milk-pudding which Apollonie knew so well howto prepare. Whenever Mäzli came to a meal at her house, she always setthis favorite dish before the child. 

The days when Mäzli came for a visit here were happy days for Loneli. There was always something funny going on at meal-time, because Mäzli hadso many amusing things to speak about. On those days she was neverobliged to tell her grandmother exactly what lessons she had known inschool and which she had not. Usually Apollonie was dreadfully anxiousto hear how punctually she had fulfilled her duties, and she always choselunch-time for that purpose because then no other affair interfered withtalking. Beaming with joy, Loneli now sat beside Mäzli, who was tellinguninterruptedly about Salo. She told them that he was friendlier andnicer than any boy she had ever seen, and she quoted Bruno, Mea and Kurtas saying exactly the same thing. Usually they disagreed on such points. Apollonie was quite absorbed in listening, too, and nodding her head oncein a while, she seemed to say: "Yes, yes, I know that he couldn't becalled Salo for nothing. " This interesting subject of conversation kepther longer than usual to-day. 

"Suddenly she started up, quite frightened. Oh, is it possible? It isnearly one o'clock. Hurry up, Loneli, or you'll be late for school. Mäzli, you and I have something to do, too, this afternoon. I shall takeyou on a walk and I'll tell you where we are going as soon as we start. "

As the dishes had to be washed first, Apollonie thought that Mäzli mightgo out to play in the garden. But Mäzli preferred to see the plateswashed and dried and afterwards set in neat rows. After these tasksApollonie put on a good apron, a beautiful neck-cloth, and after packingup several shirts, cloths and stockings into a large basket the two setout. 

"Where are we going?" Mäzli asked, inspecting the basket. "Who are youtaking these things to?"

"They belong to Mr. Trius, " replied Apollonie. "We are going all theway up to the castle, as far as the great iron door. When I pull thebell-knob, Mr. Trius comes and gets this basket. You'll be able to peepin through the door till he comes back again with the empty basket. "

"Can one look into the garden from there and see the bigmignonette-bushes that mama liked so much?" Mäzli asked. 

"Yes, yes, the garden is there, " Apollonie replied with a profound sigh, "but the great rose and mignonette beds are gone. It would take a longtime nowadays to find even a couple of the flowers. "

"We could surely find them inside, " Mäzli said with great certainty. 

"But Mäzli, what are you thinking of? Nobody is allowed to go in. Yousee, Mr. Trius lets nobody either into the garden or into the castle, "Apollonie repeated with great emphasis. "I should have gone in long agoif he had let me. Oh, how I should have loved to go, and I know howbadly needed I am. What a dreadful disorder all the rooms must be in! IfI could only go a single time to do the most necessary things!" Apolloniein her great trouble had quite forgotten that she was speaking to littleMäzli. 

"Why should you bring him so many shirts and stockings if he doesn't letyou in? Don't bring him anything, " Mäzli cried out indignantly. 

"No, no, Mäzli. You see, these are his shirts and stockings, and I haveonly washed and mended them for him, " Apollonie explained. 

"Besides, Mr. Trius can't do as he pleases. Do you see the open windowsup there? No, you couldn't see them from here. Well, up there lives asick gentleman, a baron, who won't let anybody come into the garden. Heis the master there and can give orders, and people must not disobey him. Look, one can see the open windows quite plainly now. "

"Can we see the bad baron, too?" asked Mäzli peeping up searchingly. 

"I did not say that he was bad, Mäzli, I only said that he can giveorders, " Apollonie corrected. "And you can't see him because he is lyingsick in bed. Look, look! the fine, thick raspberry bushes used to bethere. " Apollonie was pointing to wild-looking shrubs that were climbingup the castle incline. "Oh, how different it all used to be! Twosplendid hedges used to run up there, then across and down again on theother side. Both girls and boys used to feast on them for whole days ata time, and there were always enough left for pots and pots full of jam. And now how terrible it all looks! Everything is growing wild. Nobodywho has known the place the way I knew it could have ever thought that itwould look like this. "

Mäzli was not very deeply moved by the change. She had long been gazingat the high gate which was to be their destination and which they werenearing rapidly. 

"Does Mr. Trius take his big stick along when he comes down to thegate?" she asked, looking cautiously about her. 

"Yes, yes, he never goes about without it, Mäzli, but you need not beafraid, " Apollonie calmed her. "He won't hurt you, and I should advisehim not to. Look! there he comes already. He has been spying about, andnothing ever escapes him. "

Mr. Trius was already standing at the gate with his stick and opened it. "That is fine, " he said, receiving the basket, and was in the act ofclosing the door again immediately. 

"No, no, Mr. Trius, don't do that!" said Apollonie, restraining him. She had vigorously pushed back the door and posted herself firmly in theopening. "I always do my duty punctually and I like to do it because youbelong to the castle. But you can at least let me have a word about themaster's health. "

"The same, " was the reply. 

"The same; what does that mean?" Apollonie retorted. "Do you watch himwhile he sleeps? Are you cooking the right things for him? What does themaster eat?"

"Venison. "

"What? How can you cook such things for him? Such rich and heavy meat fora sick man! What does the doctor say to that?"

"Nothing. "

"What, nothing? He certainly must say what his patient ought to eat. Whois his doctor? I hope a good one. I am afraid the master is nottroubling much about it. Did you fetch the one from Sils? He is verycareful, I know. "

"No. "

"Who do you have?"

"No one. "

Apollonie threw up her arms in violent agitation. "So the baron lies upthere sick and lonely and nobody even fetches a doctor. Oh, if hismother knew this! That simply won't do, and I am going in. Please let mein. The master won't have to see me at all. All I want to do is to cooksomething strengthening for him. I shall only put his room in order, andif he happens to get up, I can make his bed. Oh, please let me in, Mr. Trius! You know that I'll do anything in the world for you. Please letme nurse the sick master!"

Apollonie's voice had grown supplicating. 

"Forbidden, " was the curt reply. 

"But I am no stranger here. I have served in this house for more thanthirty years, " Apollonie went on eagerly. "I know what is needed andwhat the master ought to have. Things are not attended to at all, Ifear, and indeed I know it. After all I am an old acquaintance, and I'llonly come an hour a day to do the most urgent task. "

"Nobody is allowed to come, " Mr. Trius said again in his unchangeable, dry tone. It was all the same to him whether Apollonie begged orscolded. In her anxiety about the sick master she had forgotteneverything else. 

"Where is the child?" she suddenly cried out in great anxiety. "Goodgracious, where is she? She must have run into the garden. "

Mr. Trius had suddenly grown more lively. Throwing the gate to withgreat violence, he turned the huge key before pulling it rapidly out. Herealized that Apollonie was capable of doing anything in her excitementabout the lost child. 

"Witch's baggage!" he murmured angrily. Swinging his stick in athreatening way, he ran towards the castle. 

"Mr. Trius, " Apollonie screamed after him with all her might, "if youtouch the child you will have to reckon with me, do you hear? Hold thestick down. She can't help being frightened if she sees you. "

But he had quickly been lost from view. While Apollonie and Mr. Triushad been absorbed in their violent altercation and had stared at eachother, she in wild excitement and he in stiff immovability, Mäzli hadslipped from between the two as swiftly as a little mouse. Then she hadmerrily wandered up towards the castle hoping that she would soon see thegarden with the lovely flowers. But all she could see were wild bushesand stretches of grass with only the yellow sparkling flowers which growin every common meadow. This was not what Mäzli had expected, so shewent up to the terrace of the castle and looked about from there for theflower garden. At the end of the terrace where the little pine woodbegan she saw something that looked like fiery yellow flowers and quicklyran there. But instead of flowers she saw a lion skin shining in thesun. To see what was under the skin Mäzli came closer. A head wasraised up and two sharp eyes were directed towards her. It was a man whohad half raised himself on the long chair which was covered by the skin. As soon as she saw that it was a human being and not a lion, she camenearer and asked quite confidentially, "Do you happen to know where thebeautiful old mignonette is, that mama saw in the garden here?"

"No, " the man answered curtly. 

"Maybe Mr. Trius knows, but one can't ask him. Are you afraid of Mr. Trius, too?" Mäzli asked. 

"No. "

"But he always goes about with a big stick. Kurt has made a song abouthim where he tells everything that Mr. Trius does, " Mäzli chattered on. "It begins like this:

 Old Trius lives in our town, A haughty man is he, And every one that he can catch He beats right heartily. 

I don't remember the rest, but it is quite long. But he wants to make asong about Salo now, because he is so awfully nice. He said it as soonas Salo went away today. We all like him, and Bruno said that if he madea stupid song he would tear it up. "

"Is everybody here called Salo and Bruno?" the gentleman burst outangrily. 

"No, nobody except Bruno, you know; he is my big brother, " Mäzliexplained. "Salo only came yesterday and went away again to-day. But hedid not want to go and we wanted to keep him. But he was not allowed to. If his sister is well again, she has to go away, too. But we don't knowher yet. Her name is Leonore. "

"Who sent you here?" the gentleman ejaculated harshly. But Mäzli onlylooked at him in astonishment. 

"Nobody has sent me. Nobody knows where I am, not even Apollonie, " Mäzlibegan to explain. "I only ran away because Apollonie had to tell Mr. Trius so many things and I wanted to see the mignonette. I am visitingApollonie because mama has to nurse Leonore, who is ill and can't comedown. Because I don't obey Kathy very well and she has to cook, I spendthe days with Apollonie. Oh, here he comes!" Mäzli interrupted herselfsuddenly, for she was frightened. Coming close to her new acquaintance, as if to seek his protection, she whispered confidentially. "Oh, won'tyou help me, please, if he tries to hurt me?"

Mr. Trius was rushing towards them, holding out his stick in front likean emblem of his profession. The gentleman only made a light gesturewith his hand, and Mr. Trius disappeared as he had come. 

"Won't he hurt me if I come down to the door where he stands?" Mäzliasked. She retreated slightly from her protector, whom she had heldtightly in her fear of the stick. 

"No, " he replied curtly, but his voice did not sound as severe as before, a fact which Mäzli noticed immediately. She was very grateful to him forchasing Mr. Trius away and she now felt desirous of doing him a servicein return. 

"Do you always have to sit alone here all the time? Does no one come tosee you?" she asked, full of sympathy. 

"No. "

"Oh, then I must come to you another time and I'll keep you company, "Mäzli said consolingly. "Does the bad baron never come down to youhere?" she asked anxiously. 

"Where is he?" came a second question. 

"Don't you know that?" Mäzli said in great surprise. "He is up therewhere the windows are open. " With this Mäzli looked up, and walking closeto the chair, whispered cautiously, "A sick baron lies up there. Apollonie says that he is not bad, but I know that one has to be afraidof him. Are you afraid of him?"

"No. "

"Then I won't be afraid of him either, " Mäzli remarked, quite reassured. The gentleman who had chased away Mr. Trius so easily and was not afraidof the bad baron gave her all the confidence in the world. Under hisprotection she could face every danger. 

"I'll go home now, but I'll come soon again, " and with this Mäzli gaveher hand in a most winning way. When she wanted to say good-bye sherealized that she did not know either the gentleman's name or title, soshe stopped. 

"I am the Castle Steward, " said the gentleman, helping Mäzli. When theleave-taking was done Mäzli ran back towards the door. Sure enough, Mr. Trius was standing inside the portals and Apollonie on the outside, forthe careful man had not opened them again. He thought that the excitedwoman might forcibly enter the garden in order to seek the child. 

"God be thanked that you are here again!" she cried when Mäzli came out. She quickly took her hand. Mr. Trius, after violently shutting thegate, had immediately turned his back upon the visitors. 

"I was simply frightened to death, Mäzli. How could you run away fromme? I did not know where you had got to. "

"You didn't need to be so frightened, " Mäzli said with calm assurance. "I was with the Castle-Steward. I don't need to be afraid of anythingwith him, not even of Mr. Trius. "

"What, the Castle-Steward! What are you saying, Mäzli? Who said it wasthe Steward?" Apollonie's words were full of anxiety, as if Mäzli mightbe threatened with great danger. 

"He told me so himself. He was sitting all alone under a big tree. Hesits there alone all the time. But I am going up to see him soon again, "Mäzli informed her. 

"No, no, Mäzli, what are you thinking of? You can't do it if he has nottold you to. I am sure Mr. Trius will see that you won't get in thereany more, " said Apollonie, and she was quite sure that Mäzli's plan wouldnever succeed. 

But if Mäzli ever made a discovery, she was not easily led away. 

"Yes, but he won't be allowed to stop me, " she said a little scornfully. 

That evening Loneli was allowed to bring Mäzli home. She always loved togo to Mrs. Maxa's house, because Kurt and Mea were her best friends. Loneli was always so friendly and obliging to everybody that the schoolchildren often asked her to deliver messages. This often took place incases of estrangements when a third person was needed. Loneli had beenasked after school to-day to give a message to Mea and she was glad ofthe chance to deliver it. 

Mea had sent a proposal of peace to Elvira through Loneli, for she hatedthe constant sulking of her friend and the unpleasant new manner sheexhibited in turning her back upon her. Mea had twice before tried to bereconciled to the embittered Elvira, but unfortunately in vain. She didnot dare to admit this to Kurt, who would not have approved of herbehaviour but would have even made a horrible song about it. But onecould always rely on Loneli, who was discreet. Mea, standing at thewindow, saw Loneli coming towards the house and ran down to meet her. 

"I have to tell you something terribly sad about Elvira, " Loneli said, quite downcast. 

"What is it? What is it?" Mea asked. 

"She doesn't ever want to renew her friendship with you and she has askedme to tell you that. You may be sure that I should not tell you if I didnot have to, " Loneli added, "because it makes me so sad. "

Mea reflected a moment, wondering what she had really done. All she hadbeen guilty of was accusing Elvira of an act of injustice. So allfriendly feelings between them were to be withdrawn for all time as herpunishment. 

"Elvira can sulk for the rest of eternity, if she wants to, " Mea said nowwithout the slightest trace of sadness. Loneli was greatly surprised. "There are other people in this world besides her. I should have lovedto tell Elvira who was staying with us. Never has anybody been so niceand pleased us so. I wish I could have told her who is here now, thoughwe don't know her yet; but Elvira keeps on turning her back on me. Yousee, Loneli, the nicest boy, about Bruno's age, came to see us, and hissister is sick upstairs. We are not allowed to see her just yet, but Ican hardly wait till she comes down. If she is as nice as her brother, she is the nicest child any of us have ever seen. "

At this description Loneli's vivacious eyes fairly gleamed with sympathy. 

"What is her name, " she asked expectantly. 

"Leonore, " Mea answered. 

"Oh, " Loneli immediately began, "my grandmother also knew a young ladycalled Leonore. She always says that that young lady was as lovely as anangel and that there could not be anybody in the world as wonderful asshe. "

"I am rather glad if Leonore is not like an angel, for she might not bemy friend then, " Mea said quickly. "Elvira even, who certainly is not atall like an angel, has to break her friendship with me every few weeks. "

"Maybe she does that because she is so little like an angel, " Lonelisuggested. 

At this both children laughed. Often Loneli found exactly the right wordto say which would throw light on the matter. Kurt always enjoyed theseremarks of hers. 

At that moment shrieks of joy sounded from the house: "Mama is coming!Mama is coming!"

Lippo, the watchman, had posted himself again on the stairs as soon as hehad returned from school, and he had found ample work there. Kurt hadagain forgotten the command and had to be chased away, and even Bruno hadmade an attempt to quietly steal up to his mother. But all this had onlybrought horrified cries from the little boy. 

They had both meant no wrong whatever. All they had wanted was toquickly say a word to the mother through the open door. Nevertheless, Lippo had grown terribly wrought up about it. A firm command had beengiven, and they had tried to break it, so they all had been obliged togive way before his violent noise. 

A strange gentleman had come, too, who was half-way up the stairs withtwo leaps. But Lippo had grabbed the tails of his coat and, holding onto them with both hands, shrieked, "Nobody is allowed to go up. You mustnot go up. "

Laughingly turning about, the gentleman said, "Just let me go, littleone. I am allowed because I am the doctor. Your uncle told me where togo, so I'll easily find my way. But I'll make use of you some day, foryou are a splendid sentinel. "

When the doctor on his return found him still on the same spot, he calledhim a pillar of good order and told him that he would send for him if heshould ever need a reliable watchman. 

Soon after, Lippo uttered sudden shouts of joy, for he saw his mothercoming downstairs. What a surprise it was to see her when they hadthought that she would be shut up for one or two days longer!

"Mama is coming! Mama is coming!"

All had heard his exclamations and Mea was the first to appear, pullingLoneli after her. Bruno came rushing from one side and Kurt from theother, and Mäzli shot like an arrow right into their midst. The motherfound herself solidly surrounded. 

"Mama, just think--"

"Oh, listen, mama!"

"Oh, mama, I want to tell you--"

"Do you know, mama?"

This came from all sides and all at once. 

"To-morrow, children, to-morrow, " said the mother. "We must be veryhappy that we can see each other so soon again. I wanted to send one ofyou to Apollonie, but I am glad to see you here, Loneli. "

Mrs. Maxa now told Loneli the message she was to take to hergrandmother. The doctor had just been there and had found Leonore muchbetter already. As her fever had gone down, he feared no seriousillness. Leonore was to spend several more days in bed and therefore shewas to have a nurse who could also take care of her at night-time. Forthis nobody better than grandmother Apollonie could be found, and Mrs. Maxa would be so glad for her patient's and her own sake if she couldarrange to come to the house for several days and nights. She toldLoneli to tell her grandmother that the little girl was named Leonore andthat Mrs. Maxa was quite sure she would not be hard to take care of. 

The mother would not allow herself to be detained any longer. To all thequestions which stormed in upon her she only had one answer: "To-morrow, children, to-morrow. " Then she disappeared again into the sick room. 

"Please tell me what she is like, when you have seen her. I am socurious, " said Loneli, taking leave, and Mea promised to give thesympathetic Loneli a full report of everything. 

Next morning extremely early Apollonie appeared at Mrs. Maxa's house. As the door was not open yet, she knocked quietly and after a while Kathyappeared with heavy, sleepy eyes. 

"Why should anybody rush about at this early hour, " she said a littleangrily. It did not suit her at all that Apollonie should have found outwhat a short time she had been astir. 

"I begin my day at this hour, " said Apollonie, "and there is no need forme to rush about. I can leave that to those who get up late. I havecome to take Mrs. Rector's place in the sick room. "

"She hasn't even called yet, " Kathy flung out. 

"So much the better, then I have at least not come too late. I can findsome work everywhere, " and with this Apollonie entered the living roomand began to set it in order. 

Kathy did not hinder her and, to show her gratitude, attempted to start alittle conversation. But Apollonie was not in the mood for that. Shewas solely filled by the question who the sick Leonore was that she wasgoing to nurse. Could it be possible?

That moment a bell sounded from upstairs, and Apollonie obeyed the call. Mrs. Maxa, opening the door, let her enter. Wide awake, Leonore wassitting up in bed. Her thick, curly hair was falling far down below hershoulders, and her dark, solemn eyes were gazing with surprise atApollonie. The latter looked immovably at the little girl, while tearswere coursing down her cheeks. 

"Oh, oh, " she said, as soon as she was able to control her emotion, "onedoes not need to ask where our little Leonore comes from. It seems to meas if old times had come back again. Yes, she looked exactly like thatwhen she came to the castle; only she was not quite so pale. "

"Leonore, " Mrs. Maxa said, "Mrs. Apollonie has known both your fatherand mother very well. So I thought that you would like to have her for anurse. "

"Certainly, " Leonore replied happily, while she stretched out her hand ina friendly manner towards Apollonie. "Won't you tell me everything youknow about them?" Apollonie was only too glad to do that, but in heragitation she had first to wipe her eyes. 

There was no end to the children's enthusiasm when they found that theirmother was to be their own again. The unaccustomed separation had seemedmuch longer and harder to bear than they had imagined, but it was allover now, she was back and would be theirs now for all time to come. 

Bruno suggested that they should divide up their mother's time betweenthem to-day. This would make it possible for all to get her hearingseparately. In all this time a great deal of matter had accumulatedwhich was crying to be heard. If they were all to talk to her at once, as had happened several times before, no one would have any satisfaction, as she might not even be able to understand them. So it was settled thatevery child should have their mother alone for an hour, and they were totake their turns according to age. 

"So of course the first hour after school from eleven till twelve belongsto me, " was Bruno's statement. 

"From one till two I shall have my turn, " Mea cried out. She wascounting on asking her mother so many questions that they might easilytake three hours. She had no communications to make but she was terriblyeager to hear all about Leonore. 

"I'll get the time between four and five o'clock, " said Kurt. This termsuited him exactly, as he had a secret hope of prolonging it somewhat. The two little ones were to have the remaining time before supper, andKurt thought that they could not have very much to tell, whereas he wasin need of a great deal of advice. 

The mother had been quite certain that Bruno in his interview with herwould make a last, desperate effort to escape having to live with theKnippel boys. What was her surprise when she found that this had beenentirely pushed into the background by his lively sympathy in Salo'sdestiny. 

Bruno's thoughts were constantly occupied by the thought that his new, charming friend stood entirely alone in the world. As Salo had no onewho could help him to find a home, Bruno hoped that his mother would beable to give him some advice. He felt sure that she would gladly dothis, for she loved both children tenderly, as she had formerly lovedtheir parents. 

The boy had been absolutely right when he supposed that Mrs. Maxa wouldbe glad to help them, but she had to tell Bruno frankly that there was noadvice she was able to give. She had no authority over the children andcould therefore do nothing, as everything depended on Salo's earlycompletion of his studies so that he could choose an occupation. Thiswould have to be settled by the gentleman of whom Salo had spoken. Hewas probably a relation of their mother's who had undertaken the care ofthe children. 

Bruno was terribly cast down when he heard this. When his mother did notgive him help and counsel right away, she usually gave him some hope bysaying, "We shall see. " As she had not said this to-day, he felt certainthat nothing could be done. But the mother's unhappy face showed toBruno that her disability did not come from a lack of sympathy, and thatit pained her very much that she could do nothing. 

When Bruno came out of the room he was very silent and sadder than he hadever been in his life. 

Mea, on the contrary, came skipping out from her interview. Her motherhad told her that Leonore was charming, refined and modest, besides beingextremely grateful for every little favor. But what thrilled Mea beyondeverything was that Leonore had repeatedly told her mother how much shelooked forward to meeting her, because the two were of an age. Leonore'sonly fear was that Mea might find her rather tiresome. All the girls inthe boarding school had always accused her of that, for she was oftenterribly unhappy, and she could not help it. Mea was more eager thanever now to meet Leonore, for she was already filled with a warm love forthe sick child. She could talk and think of practically nothing butLeonore. 

"I certainly have to make a song about this violent new friendship, " Kurtsaid in the evening, when Mea had urged more than once, "Oh, mother, Ihope you won't let Leonore go as soon as she can come down and the doctorsays she is well; otherwise we shall barely be able to becomeacquainted. "

Mea flared like a rocket at her brother's suggestion, crying violently, "Indeed you won't, Kurt. "

"Mea, Mea, " the mother admonished her, "I propose to do all I can to keepLeonore here as long as possible, but--"

"But, Mea, she might be put to flight with fear and never be seen againif you attack your poor brothers in such a way, " Kurt quickly concludedthe mother's sentence. 

Mea had to laugh over this speech, which little resembled her mother'sstyle of talking. 

"My dear Kurt, " she said, "I am quite able to complete a sentence withoutyour assistance. I wanted to say that I should not be able to do verymuch, because the ladies will take Leonore when it suits them best. Ihave to admit, however, that there was some truth in Kurt's reply. Leonore has such a delicate, refined nature that it might frighten her tosee you carried away by such passion, Mea. "

When the doctor came back again in two days he was surprised at theimproved condition of his little patient. "If she was not so veryyoung, " the doctor said to Mrs. Maxa while she accompanied him out ofthe room, "I should say that her illness came largely from some hiddensorrow and inner suffering. She has apparently been able to shake it offin the good care and affectionate treatment she is getting here. But Ican scarcely believe this of a child. "

When Mrs. Maxa asked him how soon Leonore could leave the room and spendthe day with her very active children, he answered, "She can do it fromto-morrow on. Nothing can possibly refresh her more than some livelyplaymates. "

With this he took his leave. Going downstairs, he met Apollonie, who wasjust coming up with a supper-tray laden with delicate dishes for the sickchild. 

"That is right, " said the doctor; "it gives one an appetite only to lookat it. "

"Yes, the poor child eats like a little bird, " said Apollonie; "but Mrs. Rector says that there must be things to choose from in order to tempther. How is she getting along, doctor? Do you think she'll get wellagain? Isn't she just like a little angel?"

"That is hard for me to say, as I do not know any angels, " he saidsmiling, "but she might be for all I know. I am sure that she will getwell with careful nursing, and you are sure to see to that, Mrs. Apollonie. You seem to think that in being given care of the child youhave drawn the big prize in the lottery. "

"Indeed I have. I really have, " she cried after him. 

No event had ever been looked forward to with such great suspense in Mrs. Maxa's house as the appearance of Leonore. As soon as all the childrenwere home from school the next morning, their mother fetched her down. The three older ones were standing expectantly together in a littlegroup, while the two smaller ones had placed themselves with wide-openeyes near the door. Leonore, entering, greeted one after the other insuch an engaging, confidential way that she made them feel as if theywere old friends. She loved their mother so much and had been so closelydrawn to her that she was fond of the children before she had even seenthem. This pleased them tremendously, for they had expected Leonore tobe very different from themselves and had been rather afraid of her. Assoon as they saw her, they felt that they might each be special friendswith their charming guest. Leonore found herself surrounded by them allin a corner of the sofa. As she did not look at all strong yet, themother had led her there. Leonore tried to answer all the questions, listen to all the projects and information which were showered upon her, while her eyes danced with merriment. These unusual surroundings madeLeonore so happy that her face became quite rosy. Mea had been alreadycompleted in her mind a plan which, if it succeeded, would make itpossible for her to have Leonore to herself sometimes. Since all herbrothers and sisters liked the visitor so much, it was not easy to gether off alone. If only her mother would sanction the plan! That day Meahad to set the table, and when lunch time had come, she quickly ran toher mother to ask her if she might take Apollonie's place in Leonore'sroom, and to her great delight she willingly consented. Mea told her shewould only be too glad to wait on Leonore at night if she could but bewith her. Leonore really needed no more special care, and in case of anemergency Mea could easily run down to fetch her mother. 

"Leonore will mean more to you than she will ever realize, " the motherconcluded, "and I feel very gratified if you can do something for her, too. "

Mrs. Maxa then informed Apollonie of the new plan, and she felt surethat the latter would be glad to get home again. 

"I do everything in my power for that angel, " she exclaimed. "I shouldgo to live in the desert if only I could procure a home for her. "

After dinner she went to Leonore to say good-bye, and the child pressedher hand most warmly, thanking her for the good care she had received. 

"I shall never forget how kind you have been, Apollonie, " she saidheartily. "I shall come to see you as soon as I am allowed to go. Ihope that we shall see each other very often. "

"Oh, yes, I hope so! Please ask Mrs. Rector to let you come to me asoften as possible, " said Apollonie before leaving. 

Leonore now told the children that Apollonie had very vividly describedto her the lovely home of her parents and the wonderful life in thecastle. She had said frankly that she would never desire such a finehome, if only Salo and she could call a little house their own, so thegood-hearted Apollonie had suggested that they might live with her. Shecould easily let them have the whole cottage with the exception of a tinychamber. She could wait on them, and what more could they desire?Leonore had felt that this would be better than anything she had dreamedof, as she could come over to Mrs. Maxa and her children as often as shepleased. How happy Salo would be if she wrote him about it. 

"Yes, you can, " Mäzli declared. "Her house is a lovely place to live in. Loneli is there, who does everything one wants her to, and Apolloniealways cooks what one likes best. "

Kurt made a little enigmatical remark to Mäzli about her greed, butbefore she could have it explained to her, the mother turned to Leonore. 

"I do not want you to be deluded by this thought, dear child, " she said, "for that might only bring you disappointment. As soon as you are well, you can walk to Apollonie's cottage and then you will see what a tinyplace it is. The great obstacle of Salo's studies would not be put asidein that way, either, for he could not join you there for years. "

"Oh, I was thinking all the time how lovely it would be to live withApollonie! It would be so wonderful--I could live with her there and Salocould come to us in the holidays till he is through with his studies. Then we could both settle here in the neighborhood. "

Leonore had been counting on this new scheme and she looked up at Mrs. Maxa as if she longed for her consent. As Mrs. Maxa did not have theheart to shatter the child's hopes completely, she decided to let thematter rest for the present. As soon as they could visit Apollonie, Leonore could judge for herself how impossible the plan was. 

Leonore's eyes were usually very sad, but occasionally she would lookquite merry, and it was so that she appeared that evening when thechildren were surrounding her on all sides. When each had to tell her somuch and tried to be nearest her, she experienced the feeling that shehad come to a family to which she really belonged. Each of the childrenhad founded a special relation with Leonore. Bruno saw himself as herprotector and adviser, and as her brother's close friend he meant to keepan active watch over her. Mea, whose thoughts had been completelyabsorbed for days in her new friend, brought her all the warmth of aheart which craved friendship passionately. Kurt had made it his duty tocheer up the rather melancholy child as much as was in his power. Lippo, still filled a little with his post of sentinel, always came close to heras if he still needed to watch over her. Mäzli was of the firm opinionthat she had to entertain the guest, so she would relate fragments offunny things she knew, passing from one to another. In this way Leonoregot to hear of the Knippel family. The time passed so quickly that loudlaments were heard when the mother announced that it was time for Leonoreto retire. She did not want her strength to be overtaxed on her firstday out of bed. 

"We shall have many more days after this when we can be together, " sheadded. "Let us be glad of that. "

"There might not be so many, for I feel quite well already, " Leonore saidwith a sigh. 

Mrs. Maxa smiled. 

"We must thank God for that. But you need to get strong, and I hope thatyou may find the needed recreation and change here. " Then she accompaniedthe two girls up to their room at the top of the house. As Mea was to beLeonore's sole nurse from now on, Mrs. Maxa wanted to reassure herselfthat nothing was missing. It was in Mea's nature to endow every newfriend with marvellous qualities. Her imagination was always as activeas her heart, which she gave unreservedly on such occasions. Unfortunately Mea suffered many disappointments in that way, because onnearer acquaintance her friends very seldom came up to her expectations. She always tried hard to hold on to the original image, even if it didnot in the least coincide with what her friends proved to be in realityand this brought on numberless fights with Kurt, who, with his usualshrewdness, could not help revealing to her the real state of affairs. This always disillusioned her finally, for it was hard to deny hisproofs. Whenever another girl woke a passionate love in her, she wasbound to expect something unusual from her. 

A week had passed since Leonore had spent her first day as convalescentamong the family. As Mea had the privilege of being in the closest, mostintimate contact with her new friend in the late evening hours, she wasin a state of perfect bliss. Every moment of the day that she was homeshe tried to be at Leonore's side and in her walks to and from schoolthere existed for her no other subject of conversation than Leonore. 

It was quite unusual that Kurt had not produced a rhyme about her greatdevotion. He had not once said: "Things will be different after awhile. " Brother and sister this time were entirely of one opinion abouther: it even seemed as if Kurt himself had caught a touch of thefriendship fever, as he used to call Mea's great devotion. 

Apparently Bruno was of the same opinion, too. In all his free hours heused to sit in a corner of the room with his books, paying no attentionto anything else, but since Leonore had come he always joined the merrygroup and generally had something to relate or to show for Leonore'sentertainment. This he did in a quiet, gentler manner, such that itseemed as if he would hardly have behaved otherwise. 

Lippo felt so comfortable in Leonore's presence that he always kept asclose to her as possible. Even when he told his experiences at greatlength, she never became impatient, but encouraged him to go on when hisbrothers and sisters made sarcastic remarks about him. 

From time to time he would confidentially say to her: "Just stay with usalways, Leonore. You are at home here now, even if you have no homeanywhere else. " This was uttered in a spirit of utter conviction, as thelittle boy had heard it from her own lips and was sure that this would bethe best for them all. 

Leonore blushed a deep scarlet at these words, as if Lippo had pronounceda thought she did not dare to foster in her own heart. Once his motherhad noticed this, so she told Lippo one evening, not to say this again. As it was impossible to keep Leonore, it was much better not to speak ofit, as it only gave her pain. As this was a firm command, Lippo obeyedfaithfully. He kept on, however, showing Leonore that he loved to bewith her. 

Mäzli's love for Leonore showed itself more than anything in a wish tolend her a helping; hand in many things which the little girl felt herlovely friend stood in need of. She had seen quite plainly that Leonoreoften became very sad when everyone else about her was laughing and sheherself had been quite bright a moment before. But Mäzli knew how shewas going to help. She meant to tell Apollonie how to fit up her cottagefor Leonore and Salo, who, she hoped, would spend his holidays there, too. She meant to superintend these preparations herself and to have itall fixed as daintily as possible. 

By this time Mea's new friend was adored by the whole family, and theyshowed it by doing all in their power for her. They had agreed that shediffered absolutely from Mea's former friends. They could not analyzewherein lay the charm which pervaded her whole personality. The childrenhad never known anybody who was so polite towards everyone, includingKathy, who only spoke affectionate, tender words, and always seemed sograteful when others were kind to her. This spirit was something new andextremely delightful. They had to admit to themselves that they wishedeverybody would act in such a way, as this would do away forever with thefights and altercations that had always arisen between them, and forwhich they were afterwards always sorry. The only thing they would havebeen glad to change in Leonore were her sudden fits of gloom, whichaffected them all. Leonore tried very hard to fight these depressingthoughts, but they went so deep that she seldom succeeded. Their motherconsoled them by saying that Leonore would get stronger as soon as shecould take walks with them in the woods and meadows, and that feelingswhich now weighed on her would then seem lighter. 

A few days later the children, including Leonore, came back with rosycheeks and glowing eyes from their first walk to the surrounding hills. The fresh mountain breeze had exhilarated them so much that the feelingof well-being was laughing from their young faces. Even Leonore'scheeks, that were usually so pale, were faintly tinged with a rosy hue. The mother stepped out of the garden into the road in order to welcomethe children. 

"Oh, " she cried out joyfully. "This first walk has been splendid. Leonore looks like a fresh apple-blossom. "

Taking her hand with great tenderness between her own, she gazed at hervery closely in order to rejoice over the rosy color on the child'sdelicate face. That moment a beggar-woman approached, holding by eachhand a little girl. The children's clothes were so ragged that theirlittle bodies were scarcely covered. 

Looking at Mrs. Maxa, the beggar-woman said, "Yes, yes, children canmake one happy enough when one has a home. You are a fortunate lady tohave a good roof for your own. It would be better for two such homelessones as these not to exist! They are sure to remain homeless all theirlives, and that is the saddest thing of all. "

With that she stretched out her hand, for Mrs. Maxa was looking at herintently. Leonore had quickly taken off her shawl and jacket. 

"May I give it to them?" she asked Mrs. Maxa in a low voice. 

The beggar-woman had already noticed the girl's gesture and stretched outher hands in her direction. 

"I am glad, young lady, that you have pity for these homeless ones, evenif you do not know what that means. God bless you!"

Leonore looked imploringly into Mrs. Maxa's face. The latter nodded, asit was too late now to explain to Leonore what action would have beenbetter. She made up her mind to do it afterwards for similar occasions. With many words the poor woman thanked her for the gift. She was veryanxious to kiss the young lady's hand for the two garments, but Leonorehad immediately run away. Mea followed and found Leonore, who had beenso merry on the walk, sitting in her sofa-corner, crying bitterly withher head between her hands. 

"What is the matter, Leonore? Why do you cry so terribly?" Mea, asked, quite frightened. 

She could not answer at once. The mother and the other children had comein, too, and now they all surrounded the sobbing girl in great amazementand sympathy. 

"That is the way I am, " she said at last, sobbing aloud, "I am homelesslike them. Anyone who is homeless has to remain so always, and it isterrible. That is what the woman said, and I believe her. How shouldone find a home if one can't look for one?"

Leonore had never before broken out into such passionate grief. Mrs. Maxa looked at her very sorrowfully. 

"She is a real Wallerstätten at the bottom of her heart, " she said toherself. "That will mean more struggles for her than I thought. "

At a sign from her the children plainly understood that she asked them togo into the garden for a little while. Sitting down beside Leonore, shetook her hand between her own and waited till the violent outbreak hadceased. 

Then she said tenderly: "Oh, Leonore, don't you remember what you told meonce when you were ill and I was sitting on your bed? You told me thatyou found a song among your mother's music which always comforted youwhen you seemed to lose courage and confidence in God. You said that italways made you feel that He was not forgetting you and your brother, andthat he is looking after you in whatever way is best for you, even if youcan't recognize it now. Have you forgotten this? Can you tell me yourfavorite verse in it?"

"Oh, yes, I can, " said Leonore, "it is the verse:

 God, who disposest all things well, I want but what thou givest me, Oh how can we thine acts foretell, When Thou art far more wise than we?

"Yes, I always feel better when I think of that, " Leonore added after atime in a totally changed voice. "It makes me happy because I know thatGod can do for us what Salo and I can't do for ourselves. But wheneverything stays the same for so long and there is no prospect of anychange, it is so hard to keep this faith. If we can't do anything forourselves, it seems as if everything would have to be that way. Thewoman said that if anybody is homeless once, he has to remain that wayfor the rest of his life. "

"No, no, Leonore, " Mrs. Maxa answered, "you must not take a chance wordseriously. The poor woman only said it because she saw no immediate helpfor her children. It is not true at all. Of course you can't look aheadinto your future, but you can ask God to give you full confidence in Him. Then you can leave it all to Him, and the sense of His protection willmake you calmer. It will also keep you from making uncertain plans, which might only bring fresh disappointments. "

Leonore had attentively followed every word Mrs. Maxa had uttered. Looking thoughtfully in front of her for a moment, she said, "AuntMaxa"--this was the mode of address she had long ago been granted--"don'tyou want me to think of Apollonie's cottage either? Shall we have adisappointment, if I hope that we can find a home there?"

"Yes, my dear child. It is entirely out of the question for you and yourbrother to live there. I should not tell you this if I were notabsolutely certain, and you can imagine that I should not shatter such ahope if I did not have to. "

It hurt Mrs. Maxa very much to say this, but she found it necessary. She knew that Apollonie in her measureless love and admiration wouldnever be able to refuse a single one of Leonore's wishes, even if itmeant the impossible. 

"I shall not think about it any more then, " said Leonore, embracing Mrs. Maxa with utter confidence, "and I shall be glad now that I can stillremain with you. "

Later that evening when the children were all together and Leonore hadconquered her grief for that day, a letter came for their mother fromHanover. She had informed the ladies of Leonore's complete recovery andhad added that the doctor thought it necessary for the child to enjoy thestrengthening mountain air for a while longer. She herself had no otherwish than to keep Leonore in her house as long as possible. The ladies'answer was full of warm thanks for her great help in their embarrassingsituation. They were very glad to accept her great kindness for two moreweeks, after which one of them would come to fetch Leonore home. 

Mrs. Maxa glanced with a heavy heart at the child to whom she had grownas devoted as to her own. She felt dreadfully sad at the thought ofletting her go away so soon. The worst of it was that she knew theladies' abode had never really meant a home for poor Leonore. It onlydoubled her grief to know how hard it would be for the child to leaveher, but as she had no right over her, she could do nothing. The onlything she could plan was to ask the ladies to let her have Leonoresometimes during the summer holidays. She decided not to dampen thechildren's good spirits that evening with the discouraging news in theletter. 

CHAPTER VIII

MÄZLI PAYS VISITS

Whenever Mäzli found the time heavy on her hands, she would suddenlyremember people who might want to see her. She had been extremelyoccupied all these days entertaining Leonore, as during school hours shehad been the older girl's sole companion. Her brothers and sisters werenow home for a holiday and constantly surrounded Leonore. Findingherself without her usual employment, Mäzli ran after her mother on themorning of the holiday and kept on saying, "I must go to see Apollonie. I am sure Loneli is sad that I have not been to see her so long, " untilher mother finally gave her permission to go that afternoon. 

On her way to Apollonie Mäzli had been struck by an idea which occupiedher very much. She arrived at the cottage of her old friend and sat downbeside Loneli, who was not in the least sad, but looked about her withthe merriest eyes. "I must go see the Castle-Steward to-day, " she saidquickly. "I promised it but I forgot about it. "

"No, no, Mäzli, " Apollonie said evasively, "we have lots of other thingsto do. We have to see if the plums are getting ripe on the tree in thecorner of the garden, and after that you must see the chickens. Justthink, Mäzli, they have little chicks, and you will have to see them. Iam sure you won't ever want to leave them. "

"Oh, yes, when I have seen them I must go to the Castle-Steward because Ipromised to, " Mäzli replied. 

"I am sure he has forgotten all about it and does not remember you anymore, " Apollonie said, trying to ward Mäzli off from her design. "Doesyour mama know that you mean to go to the castle?"

"No, because I only thought of it on my way here, " Mäzli assured her oldfriend. "But one must always keep a promise; Kurt told me that. "

"Mr. Trius won't even let you in, " Apollonie protested. 

"Certainly! He has to. I know the Castle-Steward well, and he is not inthe least afraid of Mr. Trius; I have noticed that, " said Mäzli, firmlyholding to her resolution. 

Apollonie realized that words would do no good and resolved to entertainMäzli so well with the little chickens and other things that it wouldfinally be too late for her to go to the castle. Mäzli inspected thetiny chickens and the ripening plums with great enjoyment, but as thishad barely taken any time at all, she soon said resolutely, "I have to gonow because it is late. If you would like to stay home, Loneli can comewith me. I am sure we can easily find the way. "

"What are you dreaming of, Mäzli?" Apollonie cried out. "How do youthink Mr. Trius would receive you if you ask him to let you in, I shouldlike to know? You'll find out something you won't like, I am afraid. No, no, this can't be. If you insist on going, I had better go along. "

Apollonie went indoors to get ready for the walk, as she always put onbetter clothes whenever she mounted to the castle, despite the fact thatshe might not see anyone. Loneli was extremely eager to have a chance tofind out who was the Castle-Steward whom Mäzli had promised to visit. She had tried to persuade her grandmother to let her go with Mäzli, inwhich case her mother would not need to change her clothes, But thelatter would not even hear of it, remarking, "You can sit on the benchunder the pear tree with your knitting in the meantime, and you can singa song. We are sure to be back again in a little while. "

Soon they started off, Apollonie firmly holding Mäzli's hand. Mr. Triusappeared at the door before they even had time to ring; it seemed as ifthe man really had his eyes on everything. Throwing a furious glance atMäzli, he opened the door before Apollonie had said a word. But he hadtaken great care to leave a crack which would only allow a little personlike Mäzli to slip through without sticking fast in the opening. Mäzliwriggled through and started to run away. The next moment the door wasclosed again. "Do you think I intend to squeeze myself through, too? Youdo not need to bolt it, Mr. Trius, " Apollonie said, much offended. "Itis not necessary to cut off the child from me like that, so that I don'teven know where she is going. I am taking care of her, remember. Won'tyou please let me in, for I want to watch her, that is all. "

"Forbidden, " said Mr. Trius. 

"Why did you let the child in?"

"I was ordered to. "

"What? You were ordered to? By the master?" cried out Apollonie. "Oh, Mr. Trius, how could he let the child go in and walk about the gardenwhile his old servant is kept out? She ought to be in there looking afterthings. I am sure you have never told him how I have come to you, comeagain and again and have begged you to admit me. I want to put thingsinto their old order and you don't want me to. You don't even know, apparently, which bed he has and if his pillows are properly covered. You said so yourself. I am sure that the good old Baroness would have nopeace in her grave if she knew all this. And this is all your fault. Ican clearly see that. I can tell you one thing, though! If you refuse togive my messages to the master as I have begged and begged you to sooften, I'll find another way. I'll write a letter. "

"Won't help. "

"What won't help? How can you know that? You won't know what's in theletter. I suppose the Baron still reads his own letters, " Apollonieeagerly went on. 

"He receives no letters from these parts. "

This was a terrible blow for Apollonie, to whom this new thought hadgiven great confidence. She therefore decided to say nothing more andquietly watched Mr. Trius as he walked up and down inside the garden. 

Mäzli in the meantime had eagerly pursued her way and was soon up on theterrace. Glancing about from there, she saw the gentleman again, stretched out in the shadow of the pine tree, as she had seen him first, and the glinting cover was lying again on his knees. Mäzli ran over tohim. 

"How do you do, Mr. Castle-Steward? Are you angry with me because I havenot come for so long?" she called out to him from a distance, and amoment later she was by his side. "It was only on account of Leonore, "Mäzli continued. "I should otherwise have come ages ago. But when theothers are all in school she can't be left alone. So I stay with her andI like to do it because she is so nice. Everybody likes Leonore, everybody likes her terribly; Kurt and Bruno, too. They stay home allthe time now because Leonore is with us. You ought to know how nice sheis. You would like her dreadfully right away. "

"Do you think so?" said the gentleman, while something like a smileplayed about his lips. "Is it your sister?"

"My sister? No, indeed, " Mäzli said, quite astonished at his error. "Sheis Salo's sister, the boy who was with us and who had to go back toHanover. She has to go back to Hanover, too, as soon as she is well, andmama always gets very sad when she talks about it. But Mea gets sadderstill and even cries. Leonore hates to leave us, but she has to. Shecried dreadfully once because she can never, never have a home. As longas she lives she'll have to be homeless. The beggar-woman who came withthe two ragged children said that. They were homeless, and Leonore saidafterwards, 'I am that way, too, ' and then she cried terribly, and wewere sent out into the garden. She might have cried still more if shehad thought about our having a home with a mama while she has none. Shehas no papa or anybody. But you must not think that she is a homelesschild with a torn dress; she looks quite different. Maybe she can find ahome in Apollonie's little house under the hill. Then Salo can come hometo her in the holidays. But mama does not think that this can be. ButLeonore wants it ever so much. I must bring her to you one day. "

"Who are you, child? What is your name, " asked the gentleman abruptly. 

Mäzli looked at him in astonishment. 

"I am Mäzli, " she said, "and mama has the same name as I have. But theydon't call her that. Some people call her Mrs. Rector, some mama, andUncle Philip says Maxa to her and Leonore calls her Aunt Maxa. "

"Is your father the rector of Nolla?" the gentleman asked. 

"He has been in heaven a long while, and he was in heaven before we camehere, but mama wanted to come back to Nolla because this was her home. We don't live in the rectory now, but where there is a garden with lotsof paths, and where the big currant-bushes are in the corners, here andhere and here. " Mäzli traced the position of the bushes exactly on thelionskin. The castle-steward, leaning back in his chair, said nothingmore. "Do you find it very tiresome here?" Mäzli asked sympathetically. 

"Yes, I do, " was the answer. 

"Have you no picture-book"

"No. "

"Oh, I'll bring you one, as soon as I come again. And then--but perhapsyou have a headache?" Mäzli interrupted herself. "When my mama wrinklesup her forehead the way you do she always has a headache, and one mustget her some cold water to make it better. I'll quickly get some, " andthe next instant Mäzli was gone. 

"Come back, child!" the gentleman called after her. "There is nobody inthe castle, and you won't find any. "

It seemed strange to Mäzli that there should be nobody to bring water tothe Castle-Steward. 

"I'll find somebody for him, " she said, eagerly running down the inclineto the door, in whose vicinity Mr. Trius was wandering up and down. 

"You are to go up to the Castle-Steward at once, " she said standing stillin front of him, "and you are to bring him some cold water, because hehas a headache. But very quickly. "

Mr. Trius glanced at Mäzli in an infuriated way as if to say: "How doyou dare to come to me like this?" Then throwing the door wide open hegrowled like a cross bear: "Out of here first, so I can close it. " AfterMäzli had slipped out he banged the big door with all his might so thatthe hinges rattled. Turning the monstrous key twice in the lock, he alsobolted it with a vengeance. By this he meant to show that no one couldeasily go in again at his pleasure. 

Apollonie, who had been sitting down in the shade not far from the doornow went up to Mäzli and said, "You stayed there a long time. What didthe gentleman say?"

"Very little, but I told him a lot, " Mäzli said. "He has a headache, Apollonie, and just think! nobody ever brings him any water, and Mr. Trius even turns the key and bolts the door before he goes to him. "

Apollonie broke out into such lamentations and complaints after thesewords that Mäzli could not bear it. 

"But he has the water long ago, Apollonie. I am sure Mr. Trius gave itto him. Please don't go on so, " she said a trifle impatiently. But thiswas only oil poured on the flames. 

"Yes, no one knows what he does and what he doesn't do, " Apollonielamented, louder than ever. "The poor master is sick, and all hisservant does is to stumble about the place, not asking after his needsand letting everything go to rack and ruin. Not a cabbage-head or apea-plant is to be seen. Not one strawberry or raspberry, no goldenapricots on the wall or a single little dainty peach. The disordereverywhere is frightful. When I think how wonderfully it used to bemanaged by the Baroness!" Apollonie kept on wiping her eyes becausepresent conditions worried her dreadfully. "You can't understand it, Mäzli, " she continued, when she had calmed down a trifle. "You see, child, I should be glad to give a finger of my right hand if I could goup there one day a week in order to arrange things for the master as theyshould be and fix the garden and the vegetables. The stuff the oldsoldier is giving him to eat is perfectly horrid, I know. "

Mäzli hated to hear complaints, so she always looked for a remedy. 

"You don't need to be so unhappy, " she said. "Just cook some nicemilk-pudding for him and I'll take it up to him. Then he'll havesomething good to eat, something much better than vegetables; oh, yes, athousand times better. "

"You little innocent! Oh, when I think of forty years ago!" Apolloniecried out, but she complained no further. Mäzli's answers had clearlygiven her the conviction that the child could not possibly understand thedifficult situation she was in. 

Mäzli chattered gaily by Apollonie's side, and as soon as she reachedhome, wanted to tell her mother what had happened. But the child was tohave no opportunity for that day. The mother had been very careful inkeeping the contents of Miss Remke's letter from the children in ordernot to spoil their last two weeks together. Unfortunately Bruno had thatday received a letter from Salo, in which he wrote that in ten days oneof the ladies was coming to fetch Leonore home, as she was completelywell. Salo remarked quite frankly that he himself hardly looked forwardto Leonore's coming, as he saw in each of her letters how happy she wasin Aunt Maxa's household and how difficult the separation would be forher. Whenever he thought how hard it would be for her to grow accustomedto the change again, all his joy vanished at the prospect of her return. Bruno had read the whole letter aloud and had therewith conjured up suchconsternation and grief on every side that the mother hardly knew how tocomfort them. Leonore herself was sitting in the midst of the excitedgroup. She gave no sound and had unsuccessfully tried to swallow herrising tears, but they had got the better of her and were falling overher cheeks in a steady stream. 

Mea was crying excitedly, "Oh, mother, you must help us. You have towrite to the ladies that they mustn't come. Please don't let Leonorego!"

Bruno remarked passionately that no one had the right to drag a sickperson on a journey against the doctor's wishes. The doctor had said thelast time he had been here that Leonore was to have not less than a monthfor her complete recovery. 

Kurt cried out over and over again, "Oh, mother, it's cruel, it'sperfectly cruel! We all want to keep her here and she wants to stay. Nowshe is to be violently taken from us. Isn't that absolutely cruel?"

Lippo, coming close to Leonore, also did his best to console her. Heremembered that he could not say "stay with us" any more, but he hadanother plan. 

"Don't cry, Leonore, " he said encouragingly. "As soon as I am big, UnclePhilip has promised to give me a house and a lot of meadows. I'll be afarmer then, and I'll write to you to come to live with me, and Salo cancome for the holidays, too. "

Leonore could not help smiling, but it only brought more tears when shethought how much love she was receiving from all these children, and thatshe had to leave them and might never see them again. The mother'sattempts to comfort them failed entirely, because she had no hopeherself. 

In the middle of this agitating scene Mäzli arrived, perfectly happy andfilled with her recent experiences. She wished to relate what theCastle-Steward had said to her and what she had said to him, and what hadhappened afterwards. But no one listened because they were so deeplyabsorbed with their own disturbing thoughts. They were not in the leastinterested in what Mäzli had to say about the Steward, as they allthought that the steward was Mr. Trius. That evening the unheard-ofhappened. Mäzli actually begged to go to bed before the evening song hadbeen sung, because the depressing atmosphere in the house was so littleto her taste that she even preferred to go to bed. 

Mea had been hoping till now that her mother would find some means tokeep Leonore. If it could not be the way Apollonie planned, she might atleast stay for a long stretch of time. All of a sudden this hope wasgone entirely, and the day of separation was terribly near. The girllooked so completely miserable when she started out for school next daythat the mother had not the heart to let her go without a little comfort. 

"You only need to go to school two more days, Mea, " she said. "Next weekyou can stay home and spend all your time with Leonore. "

Mea was very glad to hear it, but without uttering a word she ran away, for everything that concerned Leonore brought tears to her eyes. 

Leonore had been looking so pale the last few days that Mrs. Maxasurveyed her anxiously. Perhaps the recovery had not been as complete asthey had hoped, for the news of the close date of her departure hadproved to be a great strain for her. Mrs. Maxa went about quitedowncast and silent herself. Nothing for a long time had been so hardfor her to bear as the thought of separation from the little girl she hadbegun to love like one of her own, who had also grown so lovinglyattached to her. The pressure lay on them all very heavily. Bruno neversaid a word. Kurt, standing in a corner with a note-book, was busilyscribbling down his melancholy thoughts, but he did not show his versesto anyone, as the tragic feeling in them might have drawn remarks fromBruno which he might not have been able to endure. Lippo faithfullyfollowed Leonore wherever she went and from time to time repeated hisconsoling words, but he said them in such a wailing voice that theysounded extremely doleful. Mäzli alone still gazed about her with merryeyes and was dancing with joy when she saw that it was a bright sunnyday. 

"You can take a little walk with Leonore, Mäzli, " the mother saidimmediately after lunch, as soon as the other children had started off toschool. "Leonore will grow too pale if she does not get into the openair. Take her on a pretty walk, Mäzli. You might go to Apollonie. "

Mäzli most willingly got her little hat, and the children set out. Whenthey had passed half-way across the garden Mäzli suddenly stood still. 

"Oh, I forgot something, " she said. "I have to go back again. Pleasewait for me, I won't be long. "

Mäzli disappeared but came back very shortly with a large picture-bookunder each arm. They were the biggest she had found and she had chosenthem because she thought: The bigger the books, the bigger his delight atlooking at them. 

"Now I'll tell you what I thought, " she said on reaching Leonore. "Yousee, up in the castle under a big tree sits the sick Castle-Steward. Ipromised to go to see him soon again and to bring him a picture book. But I am bringing him two because he'll like two better. I also promisedto bring you and something else besides. You don't know why he needsthat other thing, but you will hear when we are up there. Let us gonow. "

"But, Mäzli, I don't know the gentleman and he doesn't know me, " Leonorebegan to object. "I can't go, because he might not like it. Besidesyour mother knows nothing about it. "

But Mäzli had not the slightest intention of giving up her expedition. 

"I have everything I want to bring him now, and the Castle-Steward hasprobably been waiting for us all day, so, you see, we simply must go. Mama also says that one has to go to see sick people and bring themthings, because it cheers them up. He has to sit all day alone under thetree and he gets dreadfully tired. When he has a headache not a personcomes to bring him anything. It is not nice of you not to want to gowhen he is expecting us. "

Mäzli had talked so eagerly that she not only became absolutely convincedherself that it would be the greatest wrong if she did not go to see theCastle-Steward, but produced a similar feeling in Leonore. 

"I shall gladly go with you, if you think the sick gentleman does notobject, " she said; "I only didn't know whether he would want us. "

Mäzli was satisfied now, and, gaily talking, led Leonore toward the loftyiron door. The path led up between fragrant meadows and heavily ladenapple trees, and when they reached their destination, they found it quitesuperfluous to ring the bell. Mr. Trius had long ago observed them andstood immovably behind the door. Hoping that he would open it, thechildren waited expectantly, but he did not budge. 

"We want to pay a visit to the Castle-Steward, " said Mäzli. "You'dbetter open soon. "

"Not for two, " was the answer. 

"Certainly. We both have to go in, because he is expecting us, " Mäzliinformed him. "I promised to bring Leonore, so you'd better open. "

But Mr. Trius did not stir. 

"Come, Mäzli, we'd better go back, " said Leonore in a low voice. "Can'tyou see that he won't open it? Maybe he is not allowed. "

But it was no easy matter to turn Mäzli from her project. 

"If he won't open it I'll scream so loud that the Castle-Steward willhear it, " she said obstinately. "He is sure to say something then, forhe is waiting for us. I can shout very loud, just listen: 'Mr. Castle-Steward!'"

Her cry was so vigorous that Mr. Trius became quite blue with rage. "Bequiet, you little monster!" he said, but he opened the door nevertheless. 

"Maybe we shouldn't go in, " said Leonore. Mäzli pulled her along, however, and never let go her hand till they had reached the terrace; shehad no desire to leave her friend behind when they were so near theirgoal. Now, Mäzli quickly taking back the second picture-book, whichLeonore had been carrying for her, began to run. 

"Just come! Leonore. Look! there he sits already. " With this Mäzli flewover to the large pine tree. 

"How do you do, Mr. Castle-Steward! Didn't I come soon again, thistime?" she merrily called out to him. "I have also brought everything Ipromised. Here are the picture books--look! two of them. I thought youmight look through one too quickly. "

Mäzli laid both books on the lion skin and began to rummage through herpockets. "Look what else I brought you, " and Mäzli laid down a tinyivory whistle. "Kurt gave it to me once and now I give it to you. Ifyou have a headache and Mr. Trius is far away, all you need to do is towhistle. Then he can come and bring you some water. He'll hear it far, far away, because it whistles as loud as anything. Just try it once! Ihave also brought you Leonore. "

The gentleman started slightly and looked up. Leonore had shylyretreated behind the chair, but Mäzli pulled her forward. The gentlemannow threw a penetrating glance at the delicate looking little girl, whohardly dared to raise her large, dark eyes to his. Leonore, who hadblushed violently under his scrutiny, said in a barely audible voice, "Perhaps we should not have come; but Mäzli thought we might be allowedto see you. Can we do something for you? Perhaps Mäzli should not havebrought me. Oh, I am so sorry if I have offended you. "

"No, indeed. Mäzli meant well when she wanted me to meet her friend, "the gentleman said in quite a friendly voice. "What is the name ofMäzli's friend?"

"Leonore von Wallerstätten, " the girl answered, and noticing the largebooks on the gentleman's knees, she added, "May I take the books away?They might be too heavy. "

"Yes, you might, but it was very good of Mäzli to bring them all the wayup to me, " he said. "I'll look at them a little later. "

"May I fix your pillow for you? It does not do you much good that way, "said Leonore, pulling it up. It had long ago slipped out of position. 

"Oh, this is better, this is lovely, " the sick man replied, comfortablyleaning back in the chair. 

"What a shame! It won't stay, I am afraid. It is falling down again, "said Leonore regretfully. "We ought to have a ribbon. If I only had oneand a thread and needle!--but perhaps we could come again to-morrow--"

Leonore became quite frightened suddenly at her boldness and remainedsilent from embarrassment. But Mäzli got her out of this tryingsituation. Full of confidence she announced that they would return thenext day with everything necessary. 

The gentleman now asked Leonore where she came from and where she lived. She related that she had been living in a boarding school for severalyears, ever since the death of her great-aunt, with whom both she and herbrother had found a home. 

"Have you no other relations?" the gentleman asked, keenly observing herthe while. 

"No, none at all, except an uncle who has been living in Spain for manyyears. My aunt told us that he won't ever come back and that no oneknows where he is. If we knew where he is, we should have written to himlong ago. Salo would go to Spain as soon as he was allowed to and Ishould go to him in any case. "

"Why?" the gentleman asked. 

"Because he is our father's brother, " she replied, "and we could love himlike a father, too. He is the only person in the whole world to whom wecould belong. We have wished many and many a time a chance to look forhim, because we might live with him. "

"No, you couldn't do that. I know him, I have been in Spain, " theCastle-Steward said curtly. 

A light spread over Leonore's face, as if her heart had been suddenlyflooded with hope. 

"Oh, do you really know our uncle? Do you know where he is living?" shecried out, while her cheeks flushed with happiness. "Oh, please tell mewhat you know about him. "

When she gazed up at the gentleman with such sparkling eyes, it seemed tohim that he ought to consider his reply carefully. 

Suddenly he said positively, "No, no, you can never seek him out. Youruncle is an old, sick man, and no young people could possibly live withhim. He must remain alone in his old owl's nest. You could not go tohim there. "

"But we should go to him so much more, if he is old and ill. He needs usmore then than if he had a family, " Leonore said eagerly. "He could beour father and we his children and we could take care of him and lovehim. If he only were not so dreadfully far away! If you could only tellus where he lives, we could write to him and get his permission to gothere. Without him we can't do anything at all, because Mr. Von Stielein Hanover wants Salo to study for years and years longer. We have to doeverything he says, unless our uncle should call us. Oh, please tell mewhere he lives!"

"Just think of all the deprivations you would have to suffer with yourold uncle! Think how lonely it would be for you to live with a sick manin a wild nest among the rocks! What do you say to that?" he said curtly. 

"Oh, it would only be glorious for Salo and me to have a real home withan uncle we loved, " Leonore continued, showing that her longing could notbe quenched. "There is only one thing I should miss there, but I have tomiss it in Hanover, too. I shall never, never feel at home there!"

"Well, what is this?" the gentleman queried. 

"That I can't be together with Aunt Maxa and the children. "

"Shall we ask Aunt Maxa's advice? Would this suit you, child?"

"Oh, yes indeed, " Leonore answered happily. 

At the mention of Aunt Maxa she suddenly remembered that they had nottold her where they were going. As she was afraid that they hadremained away too long already, Lenore urged Mäzli to take her leavequickly, while she gave her hand to the steward. 

"Will you deliver a message for me, Leonore?" he said; "will you tellyour Aunt Maxa that the master of the castle, whom she knew long yearsago, would love to visit her, but he is unable? Ask her if he may hopethat she will come up to him at the castle instead?"

Mäzli gave her hand now to say good-bye, and when she noticed that thepillow had slipped down again, she said, "Apollonie would just love toset things in order for you, but Mr. Trius won't let her in. She wouldbe willing to give a finger from her right hand if she were allowed to doeverything Mr. Trius doesn't do. "

"Come now, Mäzli, " said Leonore, for she had the feeling that thispeculiar revelation might be followed by others as unintelligible. Butthe Castle-Steward smiled, as if he had comprehended Mäzli's words. 

Mrs. Maxa was standing in front of her house, surrounded by herchildren, anxiously looking for the two missing ones. Nobody couldunderstand where Leonore and Mäzli might have stayed so long. Suddenlythey caught a glimpse of two blue ribbons fluttering from Leonore's hat. Quickly the children rushed to meet them. 

"Where do you come from? Where did you stay so long? Where have you beenall this time, " sounded from all sides. 

"In the castle, " was the answer. 

The excitement only grew at this. 

"How could you get there? Who opened the door? What did you do at thecastle?" The questions were poured out at such a rate that no answercould possibly have been heard. 

"I went to see the Castle-Steward before. I have been to see him quiteoften, " said Mäzli loudly, for she was desirous of being heard. 

Leonore had gone ahead with the mother's arm linked in hers, for she wasvery anxious to deliver her message. 

Kurt was too much interested in Mäzli's expedition to the castle to befrightened off by the first unintelligible account. He had to find outhow it had come about and what had happened, but the two did not get veryfar in their dialogue. 

As soon as Mäzli began to talk first about Mr. Trius and then about theSteward, Kurt always said quickly, "But this is all one and the sameperson. Don't make two out of them, Mäzli! All the world knows that Mr. Trius is the Steward of Castle Wildenstein; he is one person and nottwo. "

Then Mäzli answered, "Mr. Trius is one and the Castle-Steward isanother. They are two people and not one. "

After they had repeated this about three times Bruno said, "Oh, Kurt, leave her alone. Mäzli thinks that there are two, when she calls himfirst Mr. Trius and then Mr. Castle-Steward. "

That was too much for Mäzli, and shouting vigorously, "They are twopeople, they are two people, " she ran away. 

Leonore had related in the meantime how Mäzli had proposed to visit thesick Castle-Steward and how she had at first been reluctant to go, tillMäzli had made her feel that she was wrong. She related everything thathad happened and all the questions he had asked her. 

"Just think, Aunt Maxa, " Leonore went on, "the gentleman knows our unclein Spain. He said that he had been there, too, and he knows that ouruncle is old and ill and is living all by himself. I wanted so much tofind out where he was, and asked him to tell me, but he thought it wouldnot help, as we couldn't possibly go to him. So I said that we mightwrite, and just think, Aunt Maxa! at last he said he would ask youradvice. " Then Leonore gave her message. "He did not say that theCastle-Steward, as he called himself to Mäzli, sent the message, but toldme that it was from the master of the castle, whom you knew a long timeago, " Leonore concluded. "Oh, just think! Aunt Maxa, we might find ouruncle after all. Oh, please help us, for I want so much to write tohim. "

Mrs. Maxa had listened with ever-growing agitation, and she was sodeeply affected that she could not say a word. She could not express thethought which thrilled her so, because she did not know the Baron'sintentions. Mea's loud complaints at this moment conveniently hid hermother's silence. 

"Oh, Leonore, " she cried out, "if you go to Spain, we shan't see eachother again for the rest of our lives; then you will never, never comeback here any more!"

"Do you really think so?" Leonore asked, much downcast. She felt that itwould be hard for her to choose in such a case, and she suddenly did notknow if she really wanted to go to Spain. 

"It is not very easy to make a trip to Spain, children, " said the mother, "and I am sure that it is not necessary to get excited about it. "

When Kurt, after the belated supper that night, renewed his examinationabout the single or the double Steward of Castle Wildenstein, theirmother announced that bedtime had not only come for the little ones, butfor all. Soon after, the whole lively party was sleeping soundly andonly the mother was still sitting in her room, sunk in deep meditation. She had not been able to think over the Baron's words till now and shewondered what hopes she might build upon them. He might only want totalk over Leonore's situation because he had realized how little she feltat home in Hanover. But all this thinking led to nothing, and she knewthat our good Lord in heaven, who opens doors which seem most tightlybarred, had let it happen for a purpose. She was so grateful that shewould be able to see the person who, more than anyone else, heldLeonore's destiny in his hands. Full of confidence in God, she hopedthat the hand which had opened an impassable road would also lead anembittered heart back to himself, and by renewing in him the love of hisfellowmen, bring about much happiness and joy. 

CHAPTER IX

IN THE CASTLE

The next afternoon, after planning a pleasant walk for Leonore and Mäzli, Mrs. Maxa started on her way to the castle. As soon as she neared thegrated iron door it opened wide, and holding his hat in his hand, Mr. Trius stood deeply bowing in the opening. 

"May I see the Baron?" asked Mrs. Maxa. 

After another reverence Mr. Trius led the visitor up the hill, and whenhe had duly announced her, invited her with a third bow to step forward. It was quite evident that Mr. Trius had been definitely ordered tochange his usual mode of behaviour. 

Mrs. Maxa now approached the chair near the pine tree. 

"Have you really come, Mrs. Maxa?" said the sick man, putting out hishand. "Did no bitter feelings against the evil-doer keep you back?"

Mrs. Maxa pressed the proffered hand and replied, "I could wish for nogreater joy, Baron, than to have your door opened for me. I havewondered oftener than you could think if this would ever happen, for Iwanted an opportunity to serve you. I know no bitter feelings and neverhave known them. Everybody who has loved this castle and its inmates hasknown they suffered grief and pain. "

"I returned to this old cave here to die, " said the Baron. "You can seeplainly that I am a broken man. I only wished to forget the past in thissolitude, and I thought it right for me to die forgotten. Then yourlittle girl came in here one day--I have not been able to discover how. "

"Oh, please forgive her, " said Mrs. Maxa. "It is a riddle to me, too, how she succeeded in entering this garden. I knew nothing about it tillyesterday evening when the children came home from the castle. I amterribly afraid that Mäzli has annoyed you. "

"She has not done so at all, for she is her mother's true child, " saidthe Baron. "She was so anxious to help me and to bring me what I lacked. Because she loved Leonore so much, she wanted me to know her, too, but Icannot understand Leonore. She begged and begged to be allowed to seeher uncle, as she wished to live with him and love him like a father. She even longs to seek him out in a foreign country. What shall I do?Please give me your advice, Mrs. Maxa. "

"There is only one thing to do, Baron, " the lady replied with anoverflowing heart. "God Himself has done what we never could haveaccomplished, despite all our wishes. The child has been led into yourarms by God and therefore belongs to you from now on. You must becomeher father and let her love and take care of you. You will soon realizewhat a treasure she is, and through her the good old times will come backto this castle. You will grow young again yourself as soon as you twoare here together. "

The Baron replied: "Our dear Maxa always saw things in an ideal light. How could a delicate child like Leonore fit into a wilderness like thiscastle. Everything here is deserted and forlorn. Just think of the oldwatchman here and me, what miserable housemates we should be. Won't youreceive the child in your house, for she clearly longs to have a home? Iknow that she will find one there and apparently has found it already. She can learn by and by who her uncle is and then she can come to visithim sometimes. "

Amazed at this sudden change, Mrs. Maxa was silent for a while. How shewould have rejoiced at this prospect a few days ago!

"I love Leonore like my own child and wanted nothing better than to keepher with me, " she said finally, "but I think differently now. Thechildren belong to you, and the castle of their fathers must become theirhome. You must let Leonore surround you with her delightful and soothingpersonality, which is sure to make you happy. When you come to know heryou will soon realize of what I should have robbed you. There is nonecessity at all for the castle to remain forlorn and empty. Despite theloss of our dear loved ones, the life here can again become as pleasantas in former times. Your mother always hoped that this would happen ather eldest son's return, as she had desired that his home should remainunchanged even after her death. Leonore can have her quarters in yourmother's rooms. "

"I wonder if you would like to see the rooms you knew so well, Mrs. Maxa, " the Baron said slowly. 

Mrs. Maxa gladly assented to this. 

"May I go everywhere?" she asked. "I know my way so well. "

"Certainly, wherever you wish, " the Baron replied. 

Entering the large hall, Mrs. Maxa was filled with deep emotion. Hereshe had spent the most beautiful days of her childhood in delicious gameswith the unforgettable Leonore and the two young Barons. Everything wasas it had been then. The large stone table in the middle, the stonebenches on the walls and the niches with the old knights of Wallerstättenstood there as of yore. 

When she went into the dining-hall, everything looked bare and empty. The portraits of ancestors had been taken from the walls and the glintingpewter plates and goblets were gone from the large oaken sideboard. Mrs. Maxa shook her head. 

Going up the stairs, she decided first of all to go to the Baron's rooms, for she wondered what care he was receiving. Rigid with consternation, she stopped under the doorway. What a room it was! Not the tiniestpicture was on the wall and not a single small rug lay on the unevenboards. Nothing but an empty bedstead, an old wicker chair and a tablewhich had plainly been dragged there from the servants' quarters, comprised the furniture. Mrs. Maxa looked again to make sure that itwas really the Baron's room. There was no doubt of it, it was thebalcony room in the tower. Where did the Baron sleep?

As the sight proved more than she could bear, she quickly sought the lateBaroness' chamber. Here, too, everything was empty and the redplush-covered chairs and the sofa in the corner over which all thepictures of the children used to hang were gone. Only an empty bedsteadstood in the corner. 

Mrs. Maxa went next to Leonore's room, which used to be extremelypretty. Lovely pictures used to hang on the walls, chairs covered inlight blue silk were standing about, a half-rounded bed was placed in acorner, and she remembered the dearest little desk on which two flowervases, always filled with fresh roses, used to stand. Mrs. Maxa did noteven go in this time, it was too horribly forlorn. The only thing whichstill spoke of old times was the wallpaper with the tiny red and blueflowers. She quickly went out. Throwing a single glance at the largeball-room, she likened it to a dreary desert. Not a curtain, not a chairor painting could be seen. Where could all the valuable damask-coveredfurniture have gone to? Was it possible that the castle had been robbedand no one knew of it?

It was probable, however, that Mr. Trius did not know about anything, and it was plain that the Baron himself had not troubled about thesethings. Mrs. Maxa hurriedly went back to him. 

"To what a dreary home you have come back, my poor friend!" she criedout, "and I know that your mother never wished you to find it like this. How unhappy you must have felt when you entered these walls after so manyyears! You cannot help feeling miserable here, and it is all quiteincomprehensible to me. "

"Not to me, " the Baron quietly replied; "I somehow felt it had to be thatway. Did I value my home before? It is a just retribution to me to findthe place so empty and forlorn. I only returned to die here and I canawait death in daytime on my chair out here and at night time in my nest. I need nothing further; but death has not come as quickly as I thought itwould. Why are you trying to bring me back to life again?"

"This is what I decidedly mean to do, so we shall banish the subject ofdeath from now on, as I confidently believe that our Lord in Heaven hasother plans for you, " Mrs. Maxa said decisively. "I can see for myselfthat it is better for Leonore to stay with us, and I am ever so happy foryour permission. May I write the ladies in Hanover that you do not wantLeonore to be fetched away for the present?"

The Baron heartily gave this permission. 

"I have to trouble you for one thing, Baron. Can you remember Apollonie, who was for many years your most faithful servant?"

The Baron smilingly answered, "Of course I remember her. How could Ipossibly forget Apollonie, who was always ready to help us in everything. Your little daughter has already given me news of her. "

"She is the only one who might know what happened to the furniture, " Mrs. Maxa continued. "I am going to see her right away, and I wish you wouldadmit her when she comes. In case the place has really been robbed, youmust let me get what you require. Nobody is looking after you and youstand sorely in need of good care. I am quite sure that your motherwould like me to look after you. Do you not think so?"

"I do, " the Baron replied smilingly, "and I feel that I ought to beobedient. "

After these words Mrs. Maxa took her leave and rapidly walked down themountain. 

She unexpectedly entered Apollonie's garden while the latter was workingthere, and immediately described to her the terrible state of things atthe castle. She had always believed that the Baron would find ithome-like and furnished, and now everything was gone, and he had not evena bed to sleep in, but was obliged to spend both day and night in hischair. 

Apollonie had been wringing her hands all the time and broke out at lastbitterly, "How could I have foreseen that? Oh, what a Turk, what asavage, what an old heathen that miserable Trius is, " she sobbed, full ofrage and grief. "I understand now why he never answered my questions. Ihave asked him many a time if he had taken out the right bed and wasusing the things belonging to it which were marked with a blue crown inthe corners. He only used to grin at me and never said a word. He nevereven looked for them and calmly let my poor sick Baron suffer. Nothingis missing, not even the tiniest picture or trifle, and he had to comeback to a terrible waste! All my sleepless nights were not in vain, but Ihad not the slightest idea that it could be as bad as that. The worst ofit is that it is my fault. 

"Yes, it really is all my fault, Mrs. Maxa, " and Apollonie went on totell how this had come about. Baron Bruno had only heard the news of hisbrother's marriage and his mother's death when he returned the first timeyears ago. He left again immediately, and she was quite sure that he didnot intend to return for a long while. As no one had lived at the castlefor so long, she had decided to put all the beautiful things safely away, in order to keep them from ruin and possible thieves. So she had storedthem in the attic, wrapped in sheets, and had locked the place up. Apollonie had never doubted that she would be called to the castle assoon as the Baron returned, for she belonged there as of old and occupiedthe little gardener's cottage belonging to it. But her dreams were notto come true. 

"I must go to him this minute, " gasped Apollonie; she had spoken rapidlyand with intense excitement. "I want to fix my master's room to-day. Iam sure I can do it, for all the furniture from the different rooms ismarked and grouped together. But shall I be let in? The horriblestubborn old watchman always keeps me out. "

But Mrs. Maxa was able to quiet her on that score by the Baron's recentpromise, and she even urged Apollonie to start directly. The Baronshould be told of the situation and have a bed prepared for him thatnight. After this Mrs. Maxa left. 

Leonore, knowing where the mother had gone, flew to meet her when she sawher coming. 

"Did he give you the address, Aunt Maxa, " she asked expectantly. 

"He means to let you know when he has traced it. "

This seemed quite hopeful to Leonore, and she was glad to be able to giveher brother this news. Mrs. Maxa herself lost no time in writing to theladies in Hanover that Leonore's uncle had returned and wished to keepher near him. 

Apollonie was meanwhile getting ready for her walk. Her agitation was sogreat that she took rather long in getting ready. Her toilet finallycompleted, she hurried up the incline with astonishing ease, for the hopeof being admitted to the castle made her feel at least ten years younger, though she still had some doubts whether the door would be opened forher; On her arrival she pulled the bell-rope. Mr. Trius appeared, quietly opened and silently walked away again. Apollonie, who knew fromMäzli where the master was, went towards the terrace. When she saw thesick man, she was completely overcome by memories of former times. Sheonly said shakily, "Oh, Baron, Baron! I cannot bear this! It is my faultthat you have no proper room or bed! And ill and suffering as you are!"Apollonie could get no further for sobs and tears. 

The Baron shook her hand kindly. "What is the matter, Mrs. Apollonie?We have always been good friends. What do you mean?"

He then heard from Apollonie that it had been the Baroness' wish to leavethe whole house unchanged on account of his possible return. Apolloniefrankly admitted that she had only moved the things away to keep themfrom being ruined and had naturally counted on putting every object backagain as soon as he came back, for she remembered where every pin-cushionand tiny picture belonged. She begged the Baron's permission to let herfix his room to-day, another one the day after, and so on till the castlelooked again as his mother had wished it to be. 

The Baron replied that Apollonie could do whatever she chose, adding thathe trusted her entirely. 

Her heart was filled with joy as she ran towards the attic. She camedown soon afterwards laden with blankets, sheets and pillows, only to goup again for a new load. This went on for a couple of hours, and betweentimes she set the manifold objects in order. How gladly she put up theheavy hangings in the Baron's room. She knew how he had always loved thebeautiful red color which dimmed the bright sunlight. Apollonie stoodstill in the middle of the room and looked about her. Everything wasthere down to the two pen-holders the Baron had last been using, whichwere on the big shell of the bronze inkstand. Beside them lay a blackpen-wiper with red and white roses which Miss Leonore herself hadembroidered. The cover was half turned back and the snow-white bed withthe high pillows was ready to receive the sick man. Over the bed hung alittle picture of his mother, which had been there since his boyhood, andApollonie had also remembered every other detail. When she went down tothe terrace, a cool evening breeze was already blowing through thebranches of the pine tree. 

"Everything is ready, Baron, " she said; "we are going to carry you uptogether, because Mr. Trius can't do it alone. I am sure you will sleepwell to-night. "

"Where do you want to take me?" the Baron asked, surprised. "I am quitecomfortable able here. "

"No, no, Baron, it is getting too cool for you here. Your room is abetter place at this hour; your mother would have wished it, I am sure. Will you allow me to call Mr. Trius?"

"I'll have to give in, I suppose, " the Baron acquiesced. 

Mr. Trius was already on the spot, for he was blessed with splendidhearing. 

"You are to carry me up, " said the Baron. "Apollonie will show you howit is done. "

Apollonie immediately seized him firmly about the waist. 

"You do the same, Mr. Trius, " she said; "then please, Baron, put one armabout his neck and one around mine. We shall clasp hands under your feetand lift you up. "

In the most easy, comfortable way the Baron was lifted and carried to hischamber and placed on the fresh bed. Leaning back on the easy pillows, he looked about him. 

"How charming it is, " he said, letting his glance rest here and there. "You have brought everything back, Mrs. Apollonie, and have made it lookthe way it was years ago. "

"Make things comfortable for him for the night now, " Apollonie whisperedto Mr. Trius, leaving the room to repair to the kitchen. 

"Gracious heavens! what disorder, " she cried out on entering, for thewhole place was covered with dust and spider-webs. Opening a cupboard, she saw only a loaf of bread and a couple of eggs, and this was all shewas able to find even on further search. 

"What a wretch!" she cried out in bitter rage. "He seems to give hismaster nothing but eggs. But I know what I'll do, " she said to herself, eagerly seeking for a key, which she discovered, as of old, on a rustynail. Next she repaired to the cellar where she quickly found what shewas after; the bottle stood in sore need of cleaning, however, as dideverything else she touched. Then she set about beating two eggs, addinga glass of the strengthening wine, for she had vividly recollected howmuch her master used to enjoy this. When she entered his room with thisconcoction a little later, the odor from it was so inviting that theBaron breathed it in gratefully. Mr. Trius had left the room andApollonie had put the empty cup away, and yet she kept on setting triflesin order. 

"Oh, Baron, " she said finally, "there is so much to do still. I saw thekitchen just now. If the Baroness had seen it as dirty as that, whatwould she have said? And every other place is the same. I feel as if Icouldn't rest till everything is set in order. I wish I could work allnight!"

"No, no, Apollonie! You must have a good night's rest; I intend to sleep, too, in this lovely bed, " he said smilingly. "Would you like to livehere again and undertake the management of the castle?"

Apollonie stared at her master at first as if she could not comprehendhis words. 

"Tell me what you think of it? Are you willing to do it?" he asked again. 

"Am I willing? am I willing? Oh, Baron, of course I am, and you cannotknow how happy I am, " she cried out with frank delight. "I can cometo-morrow morning, Baron, to-morrow, but now--I wonder what you'll say. You see, I am living with my daughter's child, who is twelve years old. She is a very good child, but is scarcely old enough yet to help much inthe house and garden. "

"How splendid! When Apollonie will be too old to do the work, we shallhave a young one to carry it on, " said the Baron. "When you move up heretomorrow, you will know which quarters to choose for yourself, I know. "

The Baron sank back with evident comfort into his pillows, and Apolloniewandered home with a heart overflowing with happiness. At the first raysof the sun next morning she was already in front of her cottage, packingonly the most necessary things for herself and the child into a cart, asshe intended to fetch the rest of them later. Loneli had just heard thegreat news, because she had been asleep when her grandmother returned thenight before. She was so absolutely overcome by the prospect of becomingan inmate of the castle that she stood still in the middle of the littlechamber. 

"Come, come, " the grandmother urged, "we have no time for wondering, aswe shall have to be busy all day. "

"What will Kurt and Mea say?" was Loneli's first exclamation. She wouldhave loved to run over to them right away, for whenever anything happenedto her she always felt the wish to tell her two best friends. 

"Yes, and think what Mrs. Rector will say, " Apollonie added. "But letus quickly finish up here, for we must get to the castle as soon aspossible. You are not going to school for the next two days and onSunday I hope to be all done. "

Apollonie rapidly tied up her bundle and locked the cottage door. Thenquickly setting out, they did not stop till they had reached theiron-grated door. Mr. Trius, after letting them wait a while, appearedwith dragging steps. 

"Why not before daybreak?" he growled. 

"Because you might have been still in bed and could not have unlocked thedoor. But for that I should have come then, " Apollonie quickly retorted. 

So he silently led the way, for he had had to realize that Apollonie wasnot in the least backward now that she had the master's full support. She first sought out her old chamber, and Loneli was extremely puzzled tosee her grandmother wiping her eyes over and over again. The whole thingwas like a beautiful fairy story to the child, and she loved the charmingroom with the dark wainscoting along the wall. 

But Apollonie did not indulge very long in dreams and memories. Soonafter, she was making war on the fine spider-webs in the kitchen, and ina couple of hours it already looked livable and cosy there. Mr. Triussmiled quite pleasantly when he entered, as he was just on the point ofbrewing himself and his master a cup of coffee. The only thing heusually added was a piece of dry bread, as he was too lazy to get milkand butter from the neighboring farmers, and his master had never askedfor either. The steaming coffee and hot milk and the fresh white breadApollonie had prepared looked very appetizing to him. The wooden bencheswere clean scrubbed, and he didn't object to absence of the annoyingspider-webs, which had always tickled his nose. 

Apollonie, pouring the fragrant beverage into a large cup, politelyinvited Mr. Trius to take his seat at the table. He could not helpenjoying the meal and the new order of things in the kitchen. Apollonienow prepared the breakfast tray, setting on it the good old china thatthe Baroness had always used. She had put a plate with roundbutter-balls beside the steaming coffee-pot, and fresh round rolls peepedinvitingly from an old-fashioned little china basket. 

When Apollonie came to her master's room, he exclaimed, "Oh, how goodthis looks! Just like old times. "

At first he thought that even looking at it would do him good, butApollonie did not agree with him. 

"Please take a little, Baron, " she begged him, "otherwise your strengthwill not come back. Take a little bit at first and gradually more andmore. I know you will like the butter. Loneli got it at the best farmhereabouts. "

After tasting a little the Baron was surprised how good it was. 

When her master was comfortably sitting in the lovely morning sun, Apollonie fetched Loneli out. She wanted the child to thank him forreceiving her into his house. Now the great task of cleaning and movingbegan, and it took a whole day of feverish activity to get the rooms inthe castle settled. Only at meal times was this interrupted, forApollonie did not look at this as a minor matter, and she carefullyplanned what to give her master. 

For Mr. Trius she had to consider the quantity, for he seemed to have anexcellent appetite and clearly enjoyed coming to the neat-lookingkitchen. He had begun to show his gratitude to Apollonie by willinglycarrying the heavy furniture about. 

Two days had passed in uninterrupted work, and Apollonie had accomplishedwhat she had set out to do. When she brought her master his breakfast onSunday, she stood irresolutely holding the doorknob in her hand. 

"Have you something to tell me Apollonie? You certainly can't complainthat I don't appreciate your delicious coffee. Just look at the progressI am making. "

With comical seriousness the Baron pointed to the empty cup and the soleremaining roll. 

"God be thanked and praised for that, " she said joyfully. "I shall tellyou because you asked me. I wonder if you would give me a little Sundaypleasure by inspecting all the rooms. I have your chair already at thedoor. "

After the great work Apollonie had done, his only objection was that shedesired something which meant pleasure for him and labour for her. Buthe was willing enough to be put into the heavy wheel-chair. 

"It is wonderful what you have done, Apollonie, " he concluded. "You seemto have even changed Mr. Trius from an old bear into an obedient lamb. "

Soon after, the Baron sat propped up in his wheel-chair. Here, guided byApollonie, he was taken first of all to the large ball-room, which hadwitnessed all the happy gatherings of the family and their friends. Itactually glistened in its renewed splendor, and the Baron silently lookedabout him. The tower room, which had been his brother Salo's abode, wasinspected next, and again the Baron uttered no word. Beautiful portraitsof his ancestors adorned these walls, and he recalled how Salo had lovedthem. 

Apollonie moved next to the room of the Baroness where every object wasin its place again. The faithful servant noticed how her master'sglances drank it all in and as they remained he still showed no desire toleave. 

"My mother was sitting in this arm-chair when I last spoke to her, " hesaid at last, "and this red pin cushion was lying on the table beforeher. I remember standing there and playing with the pins, and I canrecall every word she said. Don't carry me down to-day, Mrs. Apollonie, " he continued after a pause, "I want to spend my Sunday here. I am glad there are no more empty rooms to flee from. "

Apollonie was more gratified than she could say that her master wasbeginning to feel at home and hoped that it would soon become dear tohim. She wanted him to see also Leonore's bright and cheerful room, which the Baroness had had furnished in the daintiest way, and was unableto suppress her wish. "Please, Baron, take one more small trip with me, "she begged. "We can soon come back here. "

As he raised no objection, they set out. Through the wide-open windowsof the room the woods could be seen. Flocks of gay birds sat carollingon the luxuriant branches of the fir trees, and their songs filled theroom with laughter. The Baron let his gaze roam out to the trees withtheir merry minstrels and back again to the pleasant chamber. 

"You have accomplished miracles, Mrs. Apollonie, " he cried out. "Itonly took you two days to change this mournful cave into a pleasant abodewhere young people could be happy. Please take me back to my mother'sroom now and come to me as soon as you find time, for I have something totalk over with you. "

An interview lasting a considerable time took place that afternoon. Loneli had been thinking about Kurt and Mea while she was wanderinghappily up and down the terrace, and she wondered how soon they wouldhear of the great event. She was very anxious for them to pay her avisit, for which she was already making plans. 

When Loneli came back from her stroll, she saw her grandmother sitting onthe window-seat, sobbing violently. 

"But grandmother, why are you crying? Everything is so wonderful here, and all the birds outside are singing. "

"I am singing with them in my heart, child; these tears are tears ofjoy, " said the grandmother. "Sit down, Loneli, and I'll tell you what isgoing to happen to-morrow. I feel as if this happiness was too much forme, Loneli. " Apollonie was once more swept away by emotion, and it tookher a little time before she could tell Loneli the wonderful news. 

On this day it was so quiet in Mrs. Maxa's garden, that it hardly seemedas if the whole family was gathered in the vine-covered gardens. Thethought of its being Leonore's last Sunday kept them from being gay, despite the fact that they were playing a game which they usuallyenjoyed. The mother's thoughts were wandering, too, for she had waitedall day to get news from the castle. Wondering what this meant, Mrs. Maxa found it difficult to keep her attention on the children. Mäzliundertook a little stroll from time to time, for her companions depressedher very much. She had been to see Kathy, who was sitting near thehouse-door, and had chatted occasionally with the passers, but now shereturned carrying a letter. 

"A boy brought it, and Kathy asked him from whom it was, but he didn'tknow, " she explained. 

"Give it to me, Mäzli, " said the mother. "It is addressed to Leonore, though, " she added, a bit frightened, "but--"

Leonore put both hands up to her face. "Please read it, Aunt Maxa, Ican't. "

"You need not be frightened, children, " she said quickly, with a joyfulflush on her cheeks. "Listen! As the Castle-Steward wants to see his twoyoung friends, Leonore and Mäzli, again, he invites them, with the restof the family, including the mother, to spend the following day at CastleWildenstein. "

"I am glad, " said Mäzli rapidly, "then Kurt can see that theCastle-Steward and Mr. Trius are two people. "

The children had been entirely taken aback by fright, which turned intosurprise, but they began to shout joyfully now, for the prospect of beinginvited to the castle was an event nobody could have predicted. Foryears they had only seen the mysterious shuttered doors and windows, andit was no wonder that they were delighted. Mea had heartily voiced herdelight with the others till she noticed that Leonore had become veryquiet and melancholy. 

"But, Leonore, " she exclaimed, "why don't you look forward to the lovelyday we are going to have? I can't imagine anything nicer than to be ableto inspect the whole castle. "

"I can't, " Leonore replied. "I know too well that everything will beover after that day, and I may even never see you any more. "

Poor Mea was deeply affected by these words, and immediately her joy hadflown. It was rather difficult to quiet everybody down in bed that nightand even when Kurt had gone to sleep he uttered strange triumphantexclamations, for in his dreams the boy had climbed to the top of thehighest battlement. 

At ten o'clock next morning all the children were ready to leave and hadformed a regular procession. Bruno and Kurt had placed themselves at thehead and were only waiting for their mother. 

Now the two boys started off at such a rate that no one else could keepup with them, so the mother appointed Leonore and Mea as guides, andherself followed with Mäzli. She firmly held the little girl's hand, forthere was no telling what she might undertake otherwise, and the lessindependent Lippo held his mother's other hand, so that the two olderbrothers were obliged to accommodate their steps to the rest. But Kurt, simply bursting with impatience, dashed ahead once, only to drop behindagain; later on he would appear from behind a hedge. Lippo simply couldnot stand such disorder, and to even up the pairs he took Bruno's hand. When they reached the familiar iron-grated door at last, to theirsurprise both wings of it were thrown open. 

Mr. Trius, with his hat lowered to the ground, stood at his post toreceive them. Shining silver buttons set off a coat which plainlybelonged to his gala suit. Kurt was so completely confounded by thisreception that he quickly fell into line with the rest, and theprocession proceeded. The first thing they saw on the terrace was a longfestive table with garlands of ivy and flowers. Apollonie soon afterappeared in a beautiful silk gown the Baroness had given her, and hermeasured movements made the occasion seem extremely solemn. She had, toall appearance, become "Castle Apollonie" again. Loneli, wearing apretty dress and carrying a huge bouquet of flowers, stepped up toLeonore. Then she handed her the flowers and recited in a clear, impressive voice the following words which Apollonie had composedherself:

 "Thrice welcome to this home of thine, Lady of Castle Wildenstein. "

Leonore, rigid with surprise, first stared at Loneli, then looked at themother. 

Mrs. Maxa took Leonore's hand and led her to the Baron, who hadsmilingly surveyed the scene. 

"I think that her uncle is going to make his little niece a speech atlast, " Mrs. Maxa said, placing Leonore's hand in her uncle's. Like aflash comprehension dawned on Leonore. 

"Dear uncle, dear uncle!" she cried out, embracing him tenderly. "Is itreally true that you are my uncle? Is this wonderful thing really true?"

"Yes, child, I am the uncle you longed to love like a father, " said theBaron. "I want to be your father and I hope you can love me a little. Will you mind living with me, Leonore?"

"Oh, dear, dear uncle, " Leonore repeated with renewed signs of warmaffection. "It is not very hard to love you. When you told me that myuncle in Spain was sick and miserable, I wished he could be just likeyou. I really can't quite believe that Salo and I may live with you inthis wonderful castle, where I can be so near Aunt Maxa and everybody Ilove. I wonder what Salo will say. May I write to him today and let himknow that we shall have a home with you?"

"How do you do, Mr. Castle-Steward, "

Mäzli said that moment, thrusting a plump, round hand between Leonore'sand the Baron's. Mäzli had actually made use of the first moment herhand was free. 

"Now Kurt can see for himself that you and Mr. Trius are two people;can't he, Mr. Steward?"

"This certainly must be cleared up, " the Baron answered, shaking Mäzli'shand. "We shall prove to them all that Mäzli knows what she has seen. Leonore, I want to meet your friends now. Won't you bring them to me?"

The children were all standing around their mother and Apollonie, whowere clearing up the mystery for them. The mother had barely been ableto check their violent outbreak, but could not quite quench allenthusiasm. When they heard that Leonore had come to introduce them toher uncle, they were a little scared, but Leonore understood theirhesitation and declared, "Just come! You have no idea how nice he is. "Pulling Mea with her, she compelled the others to follow, and arriving ather uncle's side, she immediately began, "This is Bruno, my brother'sbest friend, and this is Mea, my best friend. I never had a friend likeher in all my life. This is Kurt--"

"Kurt is my friend, " said the uncle; "I know him because he is the poet. I hope he'll make songs about us all now; I know the one about Mr. Trius. "

Quite taken aback, Kurt looked at the Baron. How could he know thatsong? His mother had strictly forbidden him to show it to anyone, and hehad only read it aloud at home. How could a stranger hear about it?

"You can say in your new song that Mr. Castle-Steward and Mr. Trius aretwo persons and not one; you can see that yourself, " Mäzli declaredaloud. 

Kurt then suddenly understood that his impudent small sister had probablybeen the informer and he did not know what to answer. 

But Leonore helped him over his embarrassment by continuing, "This isLippo, Uncle, who has asked me to live with him when he is grown up. Isn't he a wonderful friend, Uncle? He knew I had no home. "

"You have quite marvellous friends, Leonore, " said the Baron; "they mustvisit you very often, if Mrs. Maxa will allow it. "

"Gladly, and I know that their happiness will be yours, too, when you seethem all wandering through the house and garden. "

"Yes, all of us, and Salo, too, " Leonore exclaimed. "Do you think Salowill soon be here, Uncle?"

Apollonie had approached the lively group under the pine tree, and asthere happened to be a suitable pause, she announced that dinner wasready. 

"I really ought to invite my dear friend, Mrs. Maxa, to come to thetable _with me_; I shall ask, however, who is going to take me?" said theBaron. 

All the children immediately cried, "I, " "I, " "I, " "I, " "I, " "I, " andhands caught hold of the back and both sides of the Baron's chair. 

"I am driving in a coach and six to-day! How things have changed for me!"the gentleman said smilingly. The meal Apollonie had planned was a greatsuccess and the open air on the terrace added to the children'senjoyment. 

When the fruit course, which consisted of yellow plums, was eaten, theBaron gave the young birds, as he called the children, permission to flyfreely about. It seemed to crown all the preceding pleasures to be ableto roam without restraint in the woods and meadows. First of all theyran towards the adjoining woods, where their need for an outlet could begratified. 

"Long years to you, Leonore!" Bruno cried. "Now you and Salo are goingto have a wonderful home quite near to us. Isn't it splendid! When Salocomes, we shall be together. "

"Long live the Baron!" Kurt screamed now with all his might. "Hurrah forCastle Wildenstein, the wonderful new home! Long live Apollonie! Butwhere is Loneli?" he suddenly interrupted himself in the midst of hisoutburst; "she ought to be here, too. "

When everybody agreed with him, Kurt dashed towards the terrace whereLoneli was just helping her grandmother carry away the dishes. 

"We want to have Loneli with us, Apollonie. Please let her come withme, " Kurt explained his errand. 

"Who wants her, do you say?" Apollonie began rather severely, despite aglad note in her voice which could not be disguised. 

"Everybody does, and Leonore especially, " was Kurt's sly answer. 

"You can go, Loneli, " said the grandmother. "You must celebrate thisgreat day with them. "

Loneli actually glowed with joy when she ran off with Kurt. 

As they were sitting under the pine tree, the Baron and Mrs. Maxa werereviving memories of long ago, and he listened with great emotion whenMrs. Maxa told him how faithfully his mother had tried to send him news. Her letters had, however, miscarried, because he had changed hisresidence so frequently. But he had wanted him to know how constant hismother's love had been and how anxiously she was waiting his return. 

"Mrs. Maxa, " he said after a little pause, "I feel terribly ashamed. Icame here with anger and hate in my heart against God and man, and myonly hope was to die as soon as possible. I expected to be forsaken anddespised, and instead of that I meet only kindness and love on everyside. I never deserved such a thing! Do you think I can ever atone forall the wrong I've done?"

"We must always bear in mind that there is One who is glad to forgive usour sins, Baron, and He can deliver us from them if we sincerely beg Himto, " Mrs. Maxa answered. 

As the Baron remained silent, Mrs. Maxa added, "Will you let me saysomething to you on the strength of our old friendship, Baron Bruno?"

"Certainly. I can trust my dear Maxa to say only what is right, " hereplied. 

"I have noticed that you have evaded mentioning the name Salo, that youseemed reluctant to answer Leonore's questions concerning his possiblecoming. I know that bitter memories are connected with the name, but Ialso want you to know that you will deprive yourself of a great blessingif you banish the boy who bears that name. "

"Please let him come here, if only for a little while, " Mrs. Maxabegged, yet more strongly, "so that you can see him. If you can'twillingly see him who may be the pride and joy of your life, then openthe door of his home because, before God, it is right, which you mustfeel as fully as I. "

The Baron was silent, then finally said, "Salo may come. "

Mrs. Maxa's face shone with joy and gratitude. Many things had still tobe discussed, and the two old friends remained sitting under the pinetree till the last rays of the setting sun were throwing a rosy lightover the gray castle. The children were at last returning from theirwalk across the meadows. They looked like a full-blown garden when theyapproached the Baron's chair, for they were covered with garlands ofpoppies, ivy and cornflowers. Now supper was announced, and the Baronwas escorted to the terrace as before. It was a true triumphal marchthis time, when he, throned in his chair with the lion-skin on his knees, was pushed along by the gaily decked children. The Baron told them howmuch he would enjoy taking a similar ride into the fields some day. 

When Mrs. Maxa gave the sign for parting after the merry supper party, no sign of grief was shown because the Baron had already told them thatLeonore was to move up into the castle in a few days. They were all tobe present then. After that there would be no end to their visits. 

When the Baron shook Mäzli's hand at parting, he said, "You came to seeme first, Mäzli, so you shall always be my special friend. "

"Yes, I'll be your friend, " Mäzli said firmly. 

When Leonore tenderly took leave of her uncle she whispered in his ear, "May Salo come soon, Uncle?"

This time the answer was a clear affirmative, and the child's heart wasfilled with rapture. 

"Oh, Aunt Maxa, " he cried aloud, "Can't we sing our evening song up here?I should love to sing the song my mother used to sing. "

When consent was given, they grouped themselves about the Baron's chairand sang:

 God, Who disposes all things well, I want but what Thou givest me. Oh how can we Thine acts foretell, When Thou are far more wise than we?

All the way home the children kept looking back at the castle, for theirday had been too marvellous. 

The next day three letters were sent to Salo, one from Bruno and one fromLeonore, both full of enthusiasm about the great event of the day before;and one from Mrs. Maxa. The last thrilled Salo most, because itcontained a summons for him to come to his new home. 

The news that Baron Bruno had come back and that Apollonie had resumedher old post at the castle had spread all over the neighborhood. Everybody had heard that Loneli also was living at the castle, that BaronSalo's daughter had come, and his son was soon to be there. The reportthat Mrs. Rector Bergmann's whole family had spent a day at the castlewas reported, too, and everybody talked about the intimate friendship ofthe two families. 

A few days after the celebration at the castle the district attorney'swife came to call on Mrs. Maxa. She lost no time in telling her hostessthat she counted on Baron Salo's son joining the other three lads in townand that her husband had agreed to look up another room for him. She hadno doubt that the sons of the three most important families of Nollaought naturally to live and study together, and she knew that everyeffort would be made to find Salo a suitable room, even if theapplication came rather late. Mrs. Maxa did not need to mind theseannoying negotiations now, but calmly replied that the Baron would sendhis nephew to the high school in the city and would undoubtedly make hisown arrangements. Mrs. Knippel, after remarking that her husbandcounted on seeing the Baron himself, withdrew. A moment after she leftLoneli came into the house to see Mea. 

"Just think, Mea, " the peace-loving Loneli said to her, "I have a messagefor you from Elvira; she wants you to know that she is willing to forgiveyou on condition that she may meet Leonore. She wants to be her friendand sit beside her in school. "

"It's too late now, and it won't help her. I don't care whether shewants to make up with me or not, " Mea said placidly. "Neither Leonorenor I are going to school. You won't have to go either, Loneli, becausea lady is coming to the castle to teach us all. Baron Wallerstätten andmama have settled it, so I know it. "

Loneli could hardly believe her ears, the surprise seemed too great. "Then I shan't have to sit on the shame-bench any more, " she said with abeaming face, for a heavy trouble was removed from her heart. 

"You can ask Leonore if she wants to meet Elvira, " said Mea, for Leonorehad stepped up to them. 

But Loneli's message held no interest whatever for Leonore, who wishedfor no new acquaintances. She only desired to give the time she was notspending with her uncle to Mea and her brothers and sisters. Least ofall she wished to meet a girl who had been so disagreeable to her belovedMea. 

Uncle Philip had been away on a business trip. On his arrival home hereceived the following note from his sister: "If you still want to seeLeonore with us, come as soon as possible. She is going to live with heruncle at the castle in a very few days. I shall tell you all about itwhen you come. "

He arrived the very next morning, and as soon as he met his sister, heexploded: "I was quite sure, Maxa, that you would immediately deliver thelittle dove into the vulture's claws. I wish I had never put her in yourcare!"

"Come in, Philip and sit down, " Mrs. Maxa said composedly. "We aregoing to have dinner in a moment, and then you will have the chance toask the dove herself what she thinks of the vulture's claws. "

Uncle Philip opened the door and found the children absolutely immersedin the recent events. The instant he stepped over the threshold theyrushed up to him and fairly flooded him with news. Their speeches camethick and fast, and he heard nothing but manifestations of love for thedear, good Baron, Leonore's charming uncle, the good, kindCastle-Steward. Mäzli had not given up this title even now. 

"Do you see, Philip, that you can't swim against the stream?" said Mrs. Maxa when she was sitting alone with her brother after dinner. "The bestthing you can do is to pay your old friend a call; that would add you tothe list of his admirers, instead of your bearing him a grudge. "

But Uncle Philip violently objected to this proposal. 

"Baron Bruno spoke of you with a sincere feeling of attachment which youapparently don't deserve, " his sister said. "He was afraid of yourfeeling towards him, though. Listen to what he said 'I fear that hewon't wish to have anything to do with me, and I shall be powerless inthat case. '"

"I won't refuse the hand of an old friend, though, Maxa, " said thebrother now, "if he offers it to me to reestablish peace. What is hegoing to do for Salo's son?"

"Salo has already been sent word that he is to have the castle of hisancestors for a home, " replied Mrs. Maxa. 

"I am going out for a walk, " Uncle Philip said suddenly, taking down hishat from the peg, and Mrs. Maxa guessed quite well where he was going. He reappeared at supper time and sat down with merry eyes in the midst ofthem all. 

"Leonore, " he began, "as soon as you are the mistress of the castle, Ishall often be your guest. Your uncle and I have just done some businesstogether. He told me how different everything used to be in the castlegrounds and that he regretted not understanding about these matters. Sohe asked me to take charge of things, as they were in my special field. He hoped my old attachment to the place"--at these words Uncle Philip'svoice became quite hoarse suddenly--"Maxa, your plum-cake is so sweet itmakes one hoarse, " he said, for he would never admit that he had beenovercome by deep emotion. "So I have undertaken to attend to the matterand I shall often come to the castle. "

That Uncle Philip belonged to the castle, too, now awoke hearty outburstsfrom the children, which the mother happily joined, for it had been hergreatest wish that the two should become friends again. 

The last evening before Leonore was to move into the castle had come, andthe children were all sitting in a little corner. They were in the mostcheerful mood, busily making delightful plans for the future. Suddenlythe door opened, and wild shrieks of joy burst from everybody. "Salo, Salo, Salo!" they all cried out. The boy had just arrived in time tohave a last splendid evening with his friends before moving into his newhome. The next day turned out more wonderful than they had ever dared todream, and it was followed again by a succession of other days asdelightful. Every time the children came together it seemed like a newparty, and the Baron took great care that those parties did not end tooquickly. 

Kurt had soon informed Salo and Bruno that there was a large hall withweapons and armor at the ground floor of the castle. When the boys askedApollonie to admit them, she opened a little side door for them, becauseMr. Trius had hidden the other key. Salo lifted the armoured knight tohis shoulders, and had the long, blue cloak draped around him. He lookedlike a frightful giant as he wandered up and down the big room, and Kurtrecognized the ghost of Wildenstein he had seen that dreadful night. 

Salo, with his charming disposition, soon entirely won over his uncle, who decided to send his nephew to the neighboring town to study, and Saloand Bruno were to spend their study-time as well as their holidaystogether. 

When the summer holidays were over, Salo and Bruno moved into town, buteven this leave-taking did not prove very hard. The children were not tobe separated very long, for the boys were to spend many week-ends athome, besides all their holidays. Bruno had soon written to his motherfrom town that she need not worry at all about the Knippel boys, as theyscarcely ever saw them. 

When Mrs. Maxa cannot help recalling all her former fears and plans forthe future because her son's violent temper caused her such anxiety, shesaid to herself with a glad heart:

 Oh how can we Thine acts foretell, When Thou are far more wise than we?

Apollonie has become the real, true Castle-Apollonie of yore and managesfor her master's sake to live in undisturbed peace with Mr. Trius. Sheis taking such good care of the Baron and his little adopted daughterthat a bloom of health has spread over their cheeks. On sunny days theBaron can frequently be seen walking up and down the terrace on Leonore'sarm, and his young guide is very careful of his health and looks afterhim tenderly. The sound of a beautiful voice can often be heard throughthe open castle windows, for Leonore has inherited her mother's voice, and it gives her uncle the keenest pleasure to listen to the songs sheused to sing in bygone days. The people in Nolla unanimously agree thatthe ghost of Wildenstein has gone to his eternal rest, because peaceagain is reigning at the castle. 

THE END