Gritli's Children

big trunk was packed and locked and placed in the lower hall, ready to go. Now there were only the hand-bags and satchels to be filled with the last ne

at these must be useful things. But the three had their own definitions of "useful." So they worked with all their might, running, breathless, up stairs and

ened them if they had gone all the way round the world. These he brought to his aunt, while Emma was, at the same time, press

t possibly get those eight boxes into this bag, and what's t

ns of beetles and snails and other things of the same kinds as those I expect to find near the Rhine, but, of course, they are somewhat different, and I want to carry

east anxious. I'll take care of the live ones while you are gone, and, as to the others, when you want to compar

t the two huge, misshapen packages which Emma had

too large to go even into the trunk!

drawing-copies, such as we had at school, and some that were given us on the Christmas-tree. Fani spoke of them in one of his letters, and I'm sure he'll be delighte

his pupils what he thinks best for them to copy, and, doubtless, has plenty of patterns of all kinds. So take the r

which I chose for a Christmas present, you know; the 'Lives of Distinguished Painters.' I want to carry it for Fani to read; and, for fear of hurting th

se wrappings, and then perhaps we can get it in. But you haven't brought anything that you really need, though you have had such a lo

nty exclaimed, in

r! what is that that y

d him a drum, which he could not carry, because in one hand he ha

into this bag; to say nothing of the other instruments. What in the worl

e. See if it won't go in here!" and Oscar measured the drum against his travelling-bag, only to be compelled to acknowledge that it was too large by

at?" asked the aun

it; and he was glad enough to lend it to me, beca

flute must not be packed without

les of various kinds for his bag, and

wants to se

to you," she added, turning to her sister; "and, children, you really must make up your minds what is

close, and she herself go back to her children's packing. Not so; Mrs. Bickel opened the conversation with a remark upon the weather, which she thought was growing worse and worse. Mrs. Stein agreed with her. Then followed "the cherries"; they had not ripened well this summer. From "cherries" she came to "apples," a natural association of ideas. Mrs. Stein burned with impatience. Her mind would run on the travelling-bags. Could aunty pack them alone? Would not the most important thing

the others, and that it would show people that the doctor's children had other and bette

hat, as Mrs. Stanhope had seen for herself that Fani and Elsli were her children's most int

he would be glad if Oscar would write as soon as convenient and tell Feklitus the best way to go, and also find out the chief hotel in the neighborhood. Then, if Oscar would meet him on his arrival, and show him the way to it, Feklitus wo

her thoughts often wandered away into the next room, to

e think needed for such a journey? Would six new ones be enough? Wouldn't it be well to fill one trunk entirely with new shirts, so that they needn't be washed away from h

her room. The packing was done, and aunty had gone away with Oscar. The other children were c

e prospect of many delightful treats and excursions with them, to make up her mind that she would far rather stay at home, than go on this long, uncertain journey without them. But alas! all this delightful stir of preparation had fascinated th

i is a

is a

exactly

be her b

luggage, and called the other two to sit quietly down at her side. On this last evening, she said, she wanted to have a little peaceful time with them; and Emma and Fr

here, and what they could not,-she made up her mind that it was far better for her to stay quietly at home with her mother and aunty; and the prospect of walks and drives with them, and of the biggest share

ottoes, any one of which would have been perfectly satisfactory. From such wealth it seemed impossible to choose, yet some choice must be made. One banner would hold only one motto, and even Oscar, with all his enthusiasm, could scarcely hope to have thirty-five banners for the sake of using them all. Aunty must help him decide, and already before this last afternoon they had had at least a doz

ttle this about the motto. I will repeat them all three over again,

eat and b

tival t

e all me

s we forw

e I can't pack the drum, and so it won't su

" said his aunt. "And I'm sure the motto is a very good one. Ho

ur Festival

om Swit

let your ti

man, stay

boots, or w

all are we

is, after all, better

ut it is too long. It would take E

at his aunt found a decisive reason for rejecting an

shout! Free

for ever

ield till all

are banish

hear tha

hing. I don't know of any 'tyrants' that need to be banished or die, do you? It isn't to

uldn't have, and he must somehow or othe

t you remember the poem about Dionysius, the tyrant? And if there have been once

cussion. Fred and Emma, having hunted over the rest of the house in vain, had at last bethought themselves

through th

per is ready, and papa has come,

ted in a stil

scar; papa is

ened the door at once, an

orses, to which the groom was giving the last polish in the stable, Dr. Stein came into the room where

y; he'll soon be set right.' But now you will have only yourself to depend upon; so don't go into anything heedlessly. Don't undertake anything which you are not quite sure about, so that no unpleasant consequences may result either for yourself or for the lady whose g

shook all three pairs of out

she felt that she must speak seriously to the child, warning her not to instigate Fani to any undertaking which Mrs. Stanhope might not approve. She reminded Emma that Fani was now very well off, and that the prospect before him was very bright, if Mrs. Stanhope shou

heed her advice, adding earnestly that she would try to think of diff

s you are so fond of doing. And one thing more: don't forget to pray every day to God to protect you and to help you to carry out all your good resolutions. Now that you are leaving ho

ing and evening prayers, and begged h

een standing by the wi

upon the table or the floor. In fact, you would do better not to put them into your pockets at all, for fear of some such mishap, as ofte

m so they can't stir. I'll bring them all safe home

warning and advice as they were given to the three travellers, and dwelling with pri

ing words to Fred,

see a horrid frog or a red snail or a blind

re, to see a snail or a worm hop

she would put you out of the house in

her say anything at all," reto

home in disgrace; and you'd be ashamed to be seen in

ything of the kind," said Fr

seized their bags, and seated themselves in the carriage; the horses started, and the journey was begun. Mother an

cident, and would all come home safe!" said the mo

to him, and pray him to send his angels to watch over them; that w