Uncle Titus and His Visit to the Country

n the school-room, and knowing that Miss Hanenwinkel did not give lessons at this hour, he pushed open the door to see what was going o

alled out, "is this the beginn

d Lili seriously. Jule laughed aloud and went on h

sked. "Have they taken the notion of be

even than at seventeen;"

y to see the doctor before he went from home, to ask him exactly the state of Dora's arm, and whether there was any danger

piano, Jule?" she asked. "It is an

that the end of the world

d not get enough of that exquisite amusement, and Wili is seated at her side

ay that Miss Hanenwinkel was complaining to me that Lili did not show the slightest inte

f the world is coming," said Ju

ion that so greatly disquieted her. He assured her that the wound was doing perfectly well, and that there was not the slightest danger of any permanent stiffness of the arm; though he laughingly owned that he had made the worst of it to Dora,

e verdict, but also to talk with her about Dora. She now learned for the first time, that Dora was to earn he

w stronger before she had to go back to Karlsruhe, and settle down to regular work again. She begged Aunt Ninette to let the child, during the rest of their stay, give up the s

at had looked so beset with difficulties, seemed now to lie smooth before her, and all her prospects were brightened. She spoke with great thankfulness on her husband's account; for he already f

ust find it lonely in the cottage, and that the open air would be good for her also. Aunt Ninette was much gratified by this

er talking some time with the aunt had asked after Dora and repeated her invitation, that the little girl was allowed to go. This time she did not stand still and look shyly about; with a few springing steps she reached the house, and at the door of the sitting-room she was received with a chorus of welcoming voices; while Wili and Lili and little Hunne and P

e twins pulled her away; saying "Come with us!" and Hunne tugged at her dress behind, calling loud, "Come with me!" while Paula reaching over him, whispered

his house-hold; for I can tell you if you go with Paula, you will grow too romantic; you will scarcely breathe the fresh air, and wi

rked Miss Hanenwinkel, who was pass

e said; "you will be preserved in salt; quite the opposite you see to plums, which are done in sugar! If your choi

her one piece, and when she came to the end, she glanced at Dora who nodded so pleasantly that Lili, thus encouraged, began again at the beginning. Presently Dora be

our lif

he lamp

an fade

r the

r and louder, and Hunne's out-screamed them all. Presently Lili twirled

ed so diligently at her exercises that morning that she felt that she had a r

upset. Paula had finished her French lessons, and with her mother's leave, she now took possession of Dora. As for Dora, she asked nothing better; she would have been glad to spend whole days and nights talking with Paula, telling all the secrets of her heart, and hearing in return all her friend's thoughts and wishes, hopes and fears. They both felt sure that they could never be tired of being together, and of sharing each other's

lan together nex

e sky, to see when the first pale star should peep through the twilight amid th

make sure that none of his brothers or sisters should interfere with them. He felt quite securely

ars-one two three, and then two

them so well, so

it a moment, Dora. I've just thought of a riddle that is

I am afraid your riddl

a most del

all when fre

y second,

e, small pa

t strait and

ot lead to

whole-a cou

h separate l

guessed

ull at such things. I am sorry; for it makes it stup

are not used to them," said the boy consolingl

enjoyment

needful as

's very fa

comes-and

f Greek

s shining cr

e and trouble, Rolf, I do not know the least

ow is this?" and before Dora could protest

first is

high-road

ny denies

Key she mak

, nihilis

my second,

Imperial R

s pride and

rounding darkness, and the startled children clung to eac

sitting there in the summer-house. C

k against the wall, looking very much pleased to see them. Rolf returned his gree

not, my son?" said Uncle Titus tap

you hear the others I was sa

ood man. "I am much mistaken if the first i

to make riddles and have them guessed so quickly. I have another,

t? out with them, all three, an

out recalling them. "I will ta

plies streng

s my second

the scourge

u guesse

ry likely, my so

that the s

of the beast

us whole stan

r," said Uncle

long one, and rather

rough all th

whole, the g

that e'en my

h hopes that

hearts to an

sick with ho

hance for Ire

econd at my w

ted with the declamation

le Titus, with a pleased expression: "First, B

ddles; that is, find some one who could guess them all. Before this, I've always had a heap of unguessed

, and prepared to return to the cottage; "Come to me here every evening, and bri

ay to the cottage, filled with quiet satisfaction at the thought of his new friend; for he had always wanted a son, a twelve year old son, who should have left behind the noise and follies of childhood, and have become old enough to be an intelligent and agreeable companion. Now Rolf fulfil

our lif

he lamp

an fade

r the

rd it sung that morning by the fresh young voices, an

nd as she heard his voice singing this merry melody, it was with nothing