his mortification at his blunder, he sprang to the platform,
and tried to call the attention of the noisy crowd.

"Here, fellows, listen to me! Be quiet! I want to tell you something
important!" and as the noise began to subside, he shouted:--

"We must have some singing! Who of you can sing? We'll find a song, and
then learn it. Who can sing?"

But no one came forward; no one could sing! Feklitus declared that there
was no need of singing; a speech, a procession, a banner, a collation;
why did they want anything else? But Oscar was determined to have a
song, and suddenly he thought of Fani. Where was Fani? He could sing,
and should sing. But Fani was not to be found, and soon the assembly
broke up; the members scattered, and the platform raised its head in
solitary grandeur.

Oscar ran home in a state of tremendous excitement. What would become of
his much-boasted festival if he could get no music for it? His father's
jests, Fred's air of superiority, all the mortifying consequences
rankled in his mind. Fani must be found, and if only he would lead, the
rest must somehow be got to join in.

As he reached the house, he met Emma just coming home.

"Where is Fani?" he asked. "Have you been putting him up to something
that has made him desert us and go off with you instead?"

Emma colored, but did not reply; she went on into the house, as if she
did not hear a word that Oscar said. As she came into the sitting-room,
Kathri opened the opposite door, saying:--

"Marget is here, asking if any one has seen Fani? she wants him in a
hurry, and has been hunting everywhere for him."

Emma's face and neck became flaming red; she seized her aunt's hand, and
drew her out of the room. Mrs. Stein went into the kitchen to see what
Marget's haste was. She learned that Mr. Bickel had just been to her
house to say that he wanted Fani immediately in the factory; he had a
place for him at once. He needn't leave school, but could come in the
afternoon and on holidays, and he would earn quite a good bit of money
directly. Marget had been trying in vain to find Fani, to come and talk
to her cousin; she was very much afraid that the great man would be
angry at being kept waiting, and Fani would lose the place.

Mrs. Stein told Marget that she would send Oscar to look everywhere for
the missing boy, and Marget went home.

Meantime, Emma had drawn her aunt into her own room, and as soon as they
were safely inside, with the door shut,