Gritli's Children

ion in the household of Mr. Bickel, who at once ordered a new suit and a new pair of boots for the boy; and both parents determined to go and hear him speak. A change had

m gave him an irresistible impulse, and he could not stop for the single steps. He did not go on with the other boys, but turned round the corner of the school-house, and waited there till all the girls had passed ou

e cried; "I am in a hurry

hing first," said the bo

l voice, and held fast

g to make a speech at a musical

ll that I should never do such a thing!" And Elsli tried to p

ppose you did,-you can suppose

; I never thought anyth

ter dark. Come; I'll just make a beginning, to start you. Be

ught to go. I have no

; "I'll punish you for this before long; when you come i

more from its very vagueness; so she

w that we have sung together, let us rejoice

y like an arrow shot from a bow; and before Feklitus had recovered from his surprise, she had gone beyond pu

. The day before, there was to be a rehearsal of the performance, so that Feklitus might try his speech, and the

y; Oscar rose as soon as he could hope to be excused, and Emma did not remain any longer. She had scarce

uch a tremendous hurry?" asked their father, as the

scar

d for the speaker and to arrange the procession. You'll be surp

aunt will go too, I'm sure. Ar

e. It is of more use to find and to study the smallest

a specimen of frog from his pocket at that moment. Oscar

sat out in the garden, with their work-baske

r Eisli, though no one can understand why, it reminds me of times long ago when his father, stout Fekli, used t

catch me

eavy-foote

is long-forgotten couplet, and they both sprang to their feet; but immediatel

er mother; "she is always

og," said the aunt. "I can't help being sorry for the child, and it's t

ide of the garden, apparently trying to overpower the

i is a

is a

exactly

ust be he

he sound. Poor Rikli was indeed in a wretched plight. She was standing in a ditch, covered quite to her neck in the muddy water, and holding up her arms above her head, in an effort to protect it from the many little green fr

come when I ca

crubbing and cleansing were over, Rikli put her question again, and the explanation she received was likely to impress upon her the f

ght be conducted in due order, except the currant-wine and gingerbread, which naturally were reserved for the festival

he performance arrived; Fe

ng together so well, let us rejoice together; and celebrate t

ather hurried voice, Feklitus bowed to t

h your speech!" s

glasses," said Feklitus, who was quite satisf

ested by the first words of this brief speech. "Now that we have sung!" To be sure, it had not occurred to him that to have a Musical Festival successful, there ought to be some mu

want to tell you something important!" and

f you can sing? We'll find a song

y 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

ould get no music for it? His father's jests, Fred's air of superiority, all the mortifying consequences r

house, he met Emma

putting him up to something that has made

as if she did not hear a word that Oscar said. As she came in

seen Fani? she wants him in a hurry, an

o 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

d send Oscar to look everywhere for

room, and as soon as they were safely inside, w

ot be angry with me, and make Fani's mother understand how splendid it is going to

not in earnest, Emma!" sai

s.' Then the address was given. I showed it to Fani, and we both thought that it would be a good chance for him to learn to paint, and at the same time to earn something, so that he needn't go into the factory. Don't you remember that you said a decorator meant a beautifier, and Fred said it meant a scene-painter? Fani can paint roses and flowers and garlands

ible!" exclai

What will become of him, and how

f only aunty would go and tell his mother about it, all would be right. Aunty lost no ti

will soon put a stop to his loafing; for I wi

e he begins to have any," said Marget to herself as

as she stood at her work Marget could watch the three little boys and the baby at the same time. Although Hans was now two years old, he still had a cradle, which served as a bed at night, and as a means of quieting him by day. Whenever he set u

ations passed through Marget's mind, she concluded not to oppose the boy's wishes, and she assured her visitor that his father would be satisfied if the doctor's family thought it a good arrangement, and would some of them look after the boy a little. It was a great relief to Emma's kind aunt that so little blame was likely to attach to the girl for the consequences of her rash advice; and now she concluded her visit with some inquiries about Elsli. Marget's report was favorable. Elsli spent all her time out of school at Oak-ridge, and was very happy in her work. Marget got along very well with the children, and certainly the liberal pay which Elsli brought home every day was a great gain; to say

ersary or some interesting event. As there is nothing of the kind in this case, I really think your only course, since you

to follow. Supper was just ready as they entered the house, so that Emma could not satisfy her eager desire to know the result of her aunt's mission; so that she, as well as Oscar, sat at the table in

in the sand, believing that, in so doing, he conceals himself from the hunter. Th

t remained intent on his potato-salad; but his

the pleasures of the

rose from the table with easier minds. The danger was not yet over, of blame for Emma and ridicule for Oscar;