on Dalton," said Adolf,
rising, and assuming a look of almost fierceness in his pride.

"Very well, very well; just as you please," said Dalton, carelessly; "it
will come with his other accounts in the half-year; for, no matter how
liberal a man is to his boys, he'll be pestered with bills after
all! There's blaguards will be lending them money, and teachin' them
extravagance, just out of devilment, I believe. I know well how it used
to be with myself when I was in old 'Trinity,' long ago. There was a
little chap of the name of Foley, and, by the same token, a pedler,
too----"

"Oh, papa, he's going away, and you have n't thanked him yet!" cried
Nelly, feelingly.

"What a hurry he's in!" said Dalton, as he watched the eager haste with
which the pedler was now arranging the straps of his knapsack.

"Would you not ask him to stay--to dine with us?" faltered Nelly, in a
low, faint whisper.

"The pedler--to dine?" asked Dalton, with a look of astonishment

"Frank's only friend!" sighed she, mournfully.

"By my conscience, sometimes I don't know if I 'm standing on my head
or my heels," cried Dalton, as he wiped his brows, with a look of utter
bewilderment. "A pedler to dinner! There now--that's it--more haste
worse speed: he's broke that strap in his hurry!"

"Shall I sew it for you?" said Nelly, stooping down and taking out her
needle as she spoke.

"Oh, Fraeulein, how good of you!" cried Adolf; and his whole face beamed
with an expression of delight. "How dearly shall I value this old pack
hereafter!"

These last words, scarcely muttered above his breath, were overheard by
Nelly, and a deep blush covered her cheeks as she bent over the work.

"Where's your own maid? Couldn't one of the women do it as well?" cried
Dalton, impatiently. "Ye'd not believe, Mr. Brawer, that we have
the house full of servants this minute; a set of devils feasting and
fattening at one's expense."

"Thanks, Fraeulein," said the pedler, as she finished; "You little know
how I shall treasure this hereafter."

"Ask him to stay, papa," whispered Nelly once more.

"Sure he's a pedler!" muttered Dalton, indignantly.

"At least thank him. Tell him you are grateful to him."

"He 'd rather I 'd buy ten yards of damaged calico,--that's the flattery
_he_ 'd understand best," said Dalton, with a grin.

"Farewell, Herr von Dalton. Farewell, Fraeulein!" said Adolf. And with a
bow of deep respect he slowly retired from the room, while Nelly