y. To celebrate the coming of his guests, the master of the house had ordered a festive dinner for the middle of the day. He had been longing for this day, so

of the household into her hands himself, after w

ng, everything being different from usual. She commonly very much enjoyed the prospect of company,

e they are not so bad." A small yellow apple tart and a round purple plum cake were ready for the child to taste, for her vi

ld drop beside the plate, and from there find its way into Cornelli's pocket. It was pleasant to have a supply whenever she felt li

, the cook called to her: "Off with you! I have nothing for you here to-day. The ladies from town must not think that they have to sho

ran to th

umble down," she objected. "Don't come so near to the table; this plate is all ready and nothing must be missing from it.

any more," said Cornelli, and with these words she tu

ing down the road through the open place in front of the house

of the large stable and the barn. These lay a littl

e work done by his assistant in the garden and the stable. He was Cornelli's special fri

her: "Come here quickly, run fast!" he said. "We'll sti

, saw lying on soft fresh hay a tiny, snow-white

r is just like silk! Can it walk alone? Can it stand, too, if it wants to? Oh,

," Matthew urged. "Come quickly, you can see it

approaching. The Director was very polite and lifted his cousin out of the carriage, greeting her heartily. Then he helped Miss Grideelen to dismount, thanking her warmly for coming. He told her how glad he was that she had been willing t

hter, Frederick?" a

tor glanc

. Where are you, Cornelli?"

elli had hidden behind her father, so as to insp

to your cousin and to

Hell

relative and then to the other lad

ng that the child would repeat her greeting and would call her and her friend by the na

e whole company sat down at the richly laden dinner table. Miss Mina earned many praises for the deliciously planned meal. When the afterno

herry trees and what enormous apple trees! Oh, what a row of pear trees! You must be able t

my servants take care of

. They would help to look after these matters," the cousin remarked. "By th

am so grateful to you both for coming. I am so glad she can at last be in the environment I have always wanted for her. But what could I do? I have twice taken governesses into the house, to supply her with proper intercourse and opportunity for study. T

l be the oldest house-rat left.' After that she departed and I had no more courage to go through another experience. But I knew that it was time for Cornelli to have a la

," said Miss Dorner; "she does not seem t

her mother. I always hoped that this would increase with the years and that she would grow up to be my wife's image. Do you not think that she has Cornelia's eyes?

y at his cousin. He seemed anx

atness. Her eyes always glowed with happiness and seemed to smile at one from under her beautiful, wavy brown hair. I am sorry to tell you that your child is not exactly engagi

saying that she does not resemble her mother in the least. Her education, I mean her lack of education, may have something to do with it. That is why I am so gratef

icult position I am sometimes. I ought to go away frequently, and am not able to do so because there is nobody to take care of the house for me. The servan

ns to make for his journey, and the ladies retired to their rooms to get settled there. At supper

? Does she not come to

rn

know where she is, Miss

nelli, with cheeks aglow, ran into the

ough a hedge?" the

he hen house,"

om first and have your hair combed by Miss Mina. She wil

r. This was something new and

bey your cousin absolutely, for she is taking my place now. I hope that eve

the child, but Cornelli call

looked most peculiar. She had combed it in such a way that one could not tell what b

s like a wind-blown hay field. To-morrow Mis

eply that her eyes cam

ok up any more

early the Dir

er father had chosen came every morning and taught her in all the necessary subjects. In the afternoon she was free, except for the work which she had to do for the following day. That took little time and till now the child had really had a ve

shining. If rain or snow prevented her from her strolls, she spent her afternoons in Martha's cosy chamber. There she ha

ammar lesson. All the child's answers to his questions had come so promptly to-day that the teacher had ended his lesson on the

d in a short time accomplish three times more than usual. In order not to spoil their mutual pleasure he would let her off most punctually. But wh

f an hour's time before lunch to run over to the garden, the stable and the hen house, something she always planned to do. The teacher would finally stop and say in his most friendly manner: "I had to stay

ain. To-day Cornelli had worked quickly and well, for she wanted to have lots of free time before lunch. She had not had time to see the little kid since yesterday. The lesson over, she

ng merrily over to its mother and then back again to the hay. It look

se, and hunting about among her things, soon returned with a bright red ribbon which she tied about the little kid's neck. Cornelli was perfectly delighted, for she had never in her life seen a p

little wagon and drive around with it?" asked the child. She

baby that has just learned how to walk. It has to stay near its mother and can only run about near her. When it is bigger, it can take w

h new tenderness. She already pictured to hersel

ill have to be a little careful now, Cornelli. Remember that strange ladies are in

iced that the ladies were not buried behind big newspapers, like her father. While running to the house, she passed a hydrant. There she remembered that she had to wash her han

t table," she heard Esther's voice

s already seated at the table. In

ell out in the garden," said the cousin. "But how strange you look! Half wet arms,

he water pump and I got sp

rooms for washing hands, which involve no splashing. Go, now, and

li dep

eys you-that is somethi

, she always comes to

has the most unheard-of

rn

t path? I must ask you to help her in the morning, Miss Mina. P

hurt. "Cornelli's hair is just like bristles and it is very hard to brai

er soup. Her seat was beside her

he little skirt. Something was really hanging from the bottom. "Can this be hay or

ve," repli

too much!" she exclaimed. "I am sure your father

e goes himself,"

hing which you must remember. If you are allowed to go to the stable and you enjoy doing it, you can go. But when afterwards you

eplied C

remarked Miss Grideelen. "Have you no books, Cornelli? Don't you

better, but I have some

fternoon, when you have no more le

to Martha," w

ha?" inquire

," said

ied the cousin. "But wha

answered Cor

a: "Who is this woman? Can the child go to see her?

reply. "She nursed the mistress of this house in her last illness. She is a

said the cousin. "You are like a wild hare which does everything in leaps and bounds. You can go to see

sat down at her little table in the corner. Here she wrote down a page with lightning speed, then taking up her book she read her lesso

," called Cornelli to her old friend, before she had even reached the top of th

a while and tell me about it," said Martha kindly. She put a chair

and orders everything to be changed. Now, I am not allowed to come in any more without getting washed; now, I cannot come out of the stable without chang

u that your mother would have wished had she lived. This is very good for you. Of course, Miss Mina and Esther mean well, but your relation knows much better what is to be done to make you grow up the way your

he had understood. A short time ago he had said that his cousin found no likeness between his ch

her was different from anybody," she said. "So I ca

a child always has something from her mother. I have seen you look at me just the way she did, with the same brown eyes; but not when you frown the way you do to-day. You must try to watch the two ladies very carefully in all th

drink some hot coffee and milk, because Miss Dorner says that the afternoons are so frightfully long in the country they have to be interrupted. At that time I always used to get from the garden some ap

e words Corne