t time she makes us a visit, she
will not come a second time;" remarked Julius, who sat stretched out at
full length on a garden-bench; "so take my advice, and give her room to
breathe."

"How old are you, Dora? Not much older than I am?" asked Lili eagerly.

"I am just twelve."

"Oh, what a shame! then you are as old as Paula;" said Lili regretfully,
who had hoped that Dora would belong to her in every respect, even in age.

"No, no," cried Rolf, "Dora is my age; at least nearer mine than Paula's,
if she is only just twelve."

Rolf thought this opened a favorable prospect for special companionship.
"Are you good at guessing riddles? And are you fond of them?"

"Yes, yes, and I have made a riddle;" cried Hunne, putting in his oar,
"Now guess mine, Dora. My first you can eat but not drink"--

Rolf cut the little boy's charade ruthlessly in two with,

"Oh, get away with your old riddle, Hunne; it is no riddle at all! Now
listen, Dora;

"My first conceals from light of day--" But Rolf was not destined to
finish his verses, for Lili had seized Dora's hand and was pulling her
with all her might, saying,

"Come, Dora, I will play you everything I know." Dora had asked her if she
was the one who played on the piano, and Lili thought this a good excuse
for stealing the new friend for herself. Lili had her way, for Dora really
wanted to hear the piano, though she did not like to disappoint Rolf.

"You must not take it amiss," she said, turning back to speak to him, as
Lili drew her away, "I am not good at guessing, and I should only bother
you with my stupidity."

"Won't you try just one?" asked Rolf, rather disappointed.

"Oh, yes, if you want me to. I will try bye and bye," she called back, for
Lili was fairly dragging her towards the house. Hunne had not let go his
hold of Dora, and was pulled along too. He kept calling out, "Mine too,
guess mine too," and she promised that she would do her best. Wili also
went with them, and all four betook themselves to the school-room where
the piano stood. The twins had been taking music lessons from Miss
Hanenwinkel for more than a year, not so much because their parents cared
about having them learn to play on the piano, as because they thought the
lessons would be a pleasant occupation, and the music would have a
soothing effect on the children's somewhat restless dispositions; and
moreover, last but by no means least, the twins could not be up to any
mischievous pranks,