ended
(unconsciously to ourselves) from the parlor to the kitchen. Going
down there one night to give some orders for the next day, I was amused
by overhearing Lina say, "It is time to go to school now." Immediately
Minna's bright-colored knitting was laid aside, and the two women drew
up to the table with their books. After studying their English lesson,
they recited it to each other, followed by a brief reciprocal lesson of
Swedish and German.

Bernard also had his book, and was studying with great apparent
industry, although in what foreign tongue he was accomplishing himself
I do not know. Perhaps he was trying to master the intricacies of the
German language, that he might offer himself to Minna through the
medium of her own tongue. I was amused to see that he occupied what
might be called the neutral ground, at a table lighted by a flickering
candle, and at an equal distance from his sweetheart and his foe; for
since Bernard has commenced to take moonlight strolls with Minna, Lina
has taken deadly umbrage, which she manifests by giving him
candle-ends, cutting off his supply of coffee, and reducing his
comforts generally.

At first I felt quite sorry for Lina, so completely excluded as she was
at one time from the society of the other two, especially as she was
much older than Minna, and not at all prepossessing in appearance; but
since I have learned that she has in the village four Swedish admirers
who make her weekly visits, I have ceased to waste any sympathy upon
her. We were quite amazed one Sunday afternoon to see four stalwart
blond men wending their way kitchen-wards, and inquiring in broken
English for "Swedish girl;" for of all places our quiet little
Chappaqua is the last one where we would have thought of seeing any of
Lina's compatriots. These men, it seems, are employed in repairing the
railroad track; and learning that they had a countrywoman in the
village, called to make her acquaintance; so Lina can now triumph over
Minna. I have heard from Minna that each one of the four men has
already offered himself to Lina, and that she refused them, remarking,
however, that she knew a girl in New York who would like to marry one
of them. The men thanked her, but thought the distance rather too
great to go for a wife.

Despite their little difference over Bernard, the two women have lived
together quite amicably this summer; and it has been a great relief to
dear Ida, while so gracefully presid