the proudest things in the garden.
Their sweetness embalmed all the air. At every turn of the
paths,--whether one went to see the hollyhocks or the bleeding heart, or
to look at the purple morning-glories that ran over the
bean-poles,--wherever one went, the sweetness of the lindens struck one
afresh and one always came back to them. Under the round leaves, where
the waxen yellow blossoms hung, bevies of wild bees were buzzing. The
tamarisks were still pink, and the flower-beds were doing their best in
honor of the linden festival. The white dove-house was shining with a
fresh coat of paint, and the pigeons were crooning contentedly, flying
down often to drink at the drip from the water tank. Mrs. Kohler, who
was transplanting pansies, came up with her trowel and told Thea it was
lucky to have your birthday when the lindens were in bloom, and that she
must go and look at the sweet peas. Wunsch accompanied her, and as they
walked between the flower-beds he took Thea's hand.

"ES FLUSTERN UND SPRECHEN DIE BLUMEN,"--he muttered. "You know that von
Heine? IM LEUCHTENDEN SOMMERMORGEN?" He looked down at Thea and softly
pressed her hand.

"No, I don't know it. What does FLUSTERN mean?"

"FLUSTERN?--to whisper. You must begin now to know such things. That is
necessary. How many birthdays?"

"Thirteen. I'm in my 'teens now. But how can I know words like that? I
only know what you say at my lessons. They don't teach German at school.
How can I learn?"

"It is always possible to learn when one likes," said Wunsch. His words
were peremptory, as usual, but his tone was mild, even confidential.
"There is always a way. And if some day you are going to sing, it is
necessary to know well the German language."

Thea stooped over to pick a leaf of rosemary. How did Wunsch know that,
when the very roses on her wall-paper had never heard it? "But am I
going to?" she asked, still stooping.

"That is for you to say," returned Wunsch coldly. "You would better
marry some JACOB here and keep the house for him, may-be? That is as one
desires."

Thea flashed up at him a clear, laughing look. "No, I don't want to do
that. You know," she brushed his coat sleeve quickly with her yellow
head. "Only how can I learn anything here? It's so far from Denver."

Wunsch's loose lower lip curled in amusement. Then, as if he suddenly
remembered something, he spoke seriously. "Nothing is far and nothing is
near, if one desires. The world is little,