er heart dance for joy.
She had to curb her impatience however for a time, for Mrs. Ehrenreich did
not approve of imposing upon people who were inclined to be neighborly. It
was not till Mrs. Birkenfeld had come over to the cottage, and after
talking some time with the aunt had asked after Dora and repeated her
invitation, that the little girl was allowed to go. This time she did not
stand still and look shyly about; with a few springing steps she reached
the house, and at the door of the sitting-room she was received with a
chorus of welcoming voices; while Wili and Lili and little Hunne and Paula
all ran out to meet her, and draw her in among them. Julius, just returned
from his ride, had thrown himself as usual into an arm-chair, stretching
out his legs, as an intimation that he should like to have his boots
pulled off. Dora ran forward and offered her services, frankly desirous of
making herself useful. But Jule instantly drew in his long legs.

"No, no, Dora; not for the world; what are you thinking about?" he cried,
jumping up and very politely offering Dora his chair. Before she could
take it, the twins pulled her away; saying "Come with us!" and Hunne
tugged at her dress behind, calling loud, "Come with me!" while Paula
reaching over him, whispered softly in her ear, "Go first with the twins;
or they will keep this up all day; bye and bye I will come to you, and
then we can have some comfort together."

"Dora," said Jule, waving off the three noisy creatures, "I advise you to
stay by me; it is your only hope of a happy existence in this house-hold;
for I can tell you if you go with Paula, you will grow too romantic; you
will scarcely breathe the fresh air, and will lose your appetite
completely. If you take Rolf for your companion, your whole existence
will become one great perpetual riddle."

"That it will be at any rate," remarked Miss Hanenwinkel, who was passing
through the room at that moment.

"If you prefer to go with Miss Hanenwinkel," said Jule quickly, so that
the governess might be sure to hear what he said; "you will be preserved
in salt; quite the opposite you see to plums, which are done in sugar! If
your choice falls on the twins, you will be torn in two, and as to little
Hunne; if you go with him he will talk you deaf!"

In spite of this melancholy prediction, Dora allowed herself to be carried
off by the twins, and Hunne ran after them. When they reached the piano,
Lili began to play her one