"Now you can take your knapsacks into my spare-bedroom," she continued,
opening the door of a pleasant apartment. At that moment to the joy of
Fritz, a porter from the depot brought his satchel, and at the request
of Mrs. Steiner placed it in their room. He lost no time in taking out
a pair of trousers, putting the patched ones in the trunk, and then the
three returned to the sitting-room which was also dining-room.

"Now, boys," said Mrs. Steiner, "I was just preparing supper for myself
when you came, and all I will have to do is to add something more
substantial for three travelers. But first I must ask how it happened
that you did not write at least a postal to let me know you were coming?
I might have been away from home. Then what would you have done?"

"Father said I ought to write to you and tell you the time we would be
here," replied Fritz, "but I put it off until it was too late, and I
thought you would not care."

"No, it does not make the least difference to me but it might have made
a great difference to you. I might have been sick, or, as I said before,
away from home. So do not trust to chance in such matters, but more than
all, do as your parents advise. They know best. Now I see that it is my
usual time for getting supper, and Paul will go out with me to buy
something for it. Fritz and Franz can go into the kitchen and wash their
hands in the basin hanging by the sink. Then Franz can tie on an apron
he will see out there and take the peelings from a dish of boiled
potatoes on the table and cut them up in small pieces, while Fritz sets
the table in this room. The tablecloth is in this drawer, and the dishes
in the cupboard; and he can set the table for four people as he sees it
set at home. Now, Paul, we will go."