Nothing could have made the boys feel more at home that first evening
than the sharing of the work of the household, and all joined in
cheerfully.

"I am as hungry as a wolf; I could almost eat the cold potatoes,"
remarked Franz.

"So could I, but we can wait. Aunt will get supper quickly when she
comes." And he was right, for the boys had scarcely finished their work
when they heard her and Paul coming up the steps, and a half hour later
supper was ready.

She had turned the well-chopped potatoes in a hot pan in which was
melted butter and set Franz to stir them that they might brown without
burning. In another pan she put the slices of liverwurst for Fritz to
watch, and Paul, who had first been sent to the kitchen to wash his
hands, put the slices of rich ham upon a pretty pink plate, and fresh
lettuce upon another, and placed them upon the table, while Mrs. Steiner
cut the bread and got a pitcher of new milk.

"Now, Fritz, before we take our suppers, here is a plate upon which you
can break some pieces of bread and soften it with this good milk."

"What for?" asked the boy in surprise.

"For Pixy, who is waiting so patiently. Could we enjoy our supper
knowing that the poor dumb creature is hungry?"

This was done and the plate placed on the floor by the window, and the
heart of Fritz was filled with pleasure to see Pixy's appreciation of