set the counterpane in order, and forbade her to stir until he had tidied
the room. Forthwith he stripped his little bedstead, folded up the
sheets, the mattress, and the bedstead itself, over which he slipped a
cover. She vainly begged him not to trouble, saying that Zoe, the servant
whom they had brought from the country, could very well do all those
things. But he persisted, replying that the servant plagued him, and that
he preferred to be alone to attend her and do all that there was to do.
Then, as he suddenly began to shiver, he remarked that the room was cold,
and blamed himself for not having already lighted the fire. Some logs and
some small wood were piled in a corner, near the chimney-piece.

"How stupid of me!" he exclaimed; "here am I leaving you to freeze."

Then he knelt down before the fireplace, while she protested: "What an
idea! Leave all that, and call Zoe."

"No, no, she doesn't know how to light the fire properly, and besides, it
amuses me."

He laughed triumphantly when a bright clear fire began to crackle,
filling the room with additional cheerfulness. The place was now a little
paradise, said he; but he had scarcely finished washing and dressing when
the partition behind the bed was shaken by a vigorous thumping.

"Ah! the rascals," he gayly exclaimed. "They are awake, you see! Oh!
well, we may let them come, since to-day is Sunday."

For a few moments there had been a noise as of an aviary in commotion in
the adjoining room. Prattling, shrill chirping, and ringing bursts of
laughter could be heard. Then came a noise as of pillows and bolsters