Gritli's Children

was opened, the nimble Fani had slipped out among the very first;

tree for you to draw, and I have t

lasses in the school had begun to take drawing lessons, a new experiment. Emma and Elsli were in the fifth class, and so was the studious Fred, who, though more than a year younger, was so much in advance of those of his age that he had quite outstripped the

ou could do far better than this, even, if you would onl

that he copied trees remarkably well, and that he would, probably, succeed out-of-doors. Emma was very much interested in Fani's drawing; and he had made seve

eadow, not far from the village; and how impatient she felt to carry Fani off, the moment school was over, that he might set to work that very day to copy it. Talking thus, they reached the top of the ridge and the tree

t exactly here, but a little farther off." And Fani stepped slowly back till he had reached the right point of view. There he

many sketches," said the boy, as he looked

I would bring a good deal, because you might have to try several

He selected two pencils, and then, spreading a sheet of white paper before him, he began his sketch. Emma watched ever

tle twigs! Oh! it is the very best thing you ever did, Fani! How pleased the teacher will be! I'm sure

"How lovely those twigs are! and then the leaves! I don't think any leaf is as handsome as an oak-leaf, and just look up there! see how perfectly round the shape of the tree stands

ani. That's the way a painter begins, I'm sure; no one else would e

ing, when I leave school, I shall have to go into the factory and just work hard from m

Think how glorious it would be! Wouldn't you do any

what can I do? How cou

ine it will be when you are a famous painter and have nothing to do but to paint an

d, and he gazed up into the sky as if already looking upon the future c

can ever do it? I should like to begin directly; I feel as

to propose when I go to school to-morrow. But now come; hurry up and finish the oak, and then take the paper and pencils home with you and do someth

o prevent him from working to his heart's content. As he put the finishing touches to his sketch, while Emma looked on a

a very plain talk on the subject of the paper. On the inside of the hedge, in the garden, stood Oscar, with the same intentions, but in a more seriously displeased state o

a moment. As Oscar thought and fretted over his injuries, his anger with Emma grew apace; he was sure that she had in hand some project, such as she was famous for; it was a shame, and he was determi

e Emma, for it was too wide, it took up the whole width of the path. He ran forward, and found that it was Elsli, who was toiling along, her brother Rudi hanging to her skirts on one

d Fred, who was shocked at the sight of such need

as soon as I do, and he gets so naughty,"

our house?" asked

ht a bag to put it into," and Elsli lifted her ar

ut that fat child down; he will brea

they had reac

it any longer." With these words she put the child upon his feet; but he forthwith set up a shriek that brought

gnificant gesture to her words with the open palm of her hand, as she turned away

legs. He'll kill Elsli at this rate; he is far too m

ng to his slender sister with such increased force,

arder than she expected; for the little fellow clung tight with arms and legs, and kicked with his feet and pounded with his fists, and when at last Mrs. Stein succe

tle boy; and begins to call to me to car

alone by this time, and then there is the baby

him, and she comes running in, and says that she can't have such a noise, and I mustn't let the children scream so.

very tired. Hans, if you will get down and come into the house

and Heili come with me and get bread and apples. They can walk, witho

her hand, stumped along into the house without a word. Fred followed them, switching a willow wand, as if to suggest the most efficient method of teaching Hans to walk by himself. When they reached the dining-room, the boys op

to get the clothes which Mrs. Stei

ou to take the boys home. Tell your mother that I have something to say

asked the aunt, noticing that the girl put the app

e guilty of a breach of good

m home to Fani; he will no

to him," said Mrs. Stein kindly, "b

a great deal; and father said those who are not there at supper-time are not hungry, and can go without

never help you with al

e does keep out of the way, and half the time doesn't get any supper, and I can't keep any for him. But he is always good and kind to me. When he does come hom

for supper," said aunty. "And you never will learn anyt

, and her big blue ey

dest and most backward sch

know the things that we have to learn by heart. And, now that I know why, I s

r his kind confidence; but no real joy came into her worn face. She stood up presently and took up her burden again, for Hanseli had given several signs that

her sister was responding with the same thought, when the sound of noisy voices was heard, which became louder an

ou carry Fan

one with all the

you and he

ault if we can't

o that he doesn't keep his pr

the paper; I haven't eve

hem, came up the steps. Their mother was j

swer either of you, if you both

eagerly whispered in her ear what

if Oscar knew that, it woul

her heart to blame Emma for th

I'll give you plenty of paper"; adding, as a farther argument, "your father

est of his studies. It seemed as if peace and quiet were ensured for the rest of the evening. But suddenly the silence was disturbed by a harrowing cry from Rikli, who pushed her chair b

een gold-chafer was gravely walking over the white paper, evidently

mother, gently. "You have plenty of boxes for them. Just see what discomfort yo

age; and no decent person is safe anywhere n

r clubs," retorted Fred. "And see here, mamma, what a handsome and useful little fellow this is;

rs, larvae, and other injurious insects, and thus makes itself very useful. But instead of being protecte

pocket, nor on the study-table, my boy; take him away," said his mother

u go through life shrieking out over every trifle, you will some time or other be punished for it;

red was carrying the beetle out, and, a

he musician with the sweet tones of your

pockets full of long-legged creatures, that come crawling

utly, and went off to lodge his useful

ng away their work, before go

sit the little sick girl, Nora Stanhope; and it will be well for you

f her own; then perhaps she'll let other people's fr

d; she had not the least idea of giving up

ssion,-first Oscar, then Emma, then the aunt, and last t

ly!" and he sang in a loud voic

i is a

is a

o much l

be her b

at this unflattering comparison, but her au

row, I hope. Show Fred that he is wholly w

nd then the aunt had to go the rounds alone, and the children often came near quarrelling over her, for each one thought that the others had mo

then multiplied by four, so that we could have two

imperative need of her in the kitchen, so she had to rob him of his share to-night; but sh