"Why a pity, Aunt Fanny?" asked Fritz.

"Because I have a basket of fine ripe cherries in the cupboard which I
intended for dessert. But as you are satisfied, I suppose we must wait
for another time."

The young guests looked crestfallen, and for a time were silent; then
Franz came to the rescue with the right word.

"Cherries," he remarked, "have so much juice that I do not know that
they could be called food. Instead, I would say that they are more like
drink."

"Franz, you are a born lawyer," laughed Aunt Fanny. "You certainly
deserve a fee for that brilliant opinion. As you say that you are
satisfied that you have sufficient food, you may bring in a fresh drink
in the shape of ripe, red cherries."

Franz was not slow to obey, and soon four heaps of cherry stones proved
that the new drink was appreciated.

"Now could you enjoy another dessert?" asked Aunt Fanny, smilingly. "One
that you will appreciate quite as much as the red cherries? Look!" and
she held up a letter and two postals.

"Oh, please, please! They bring us news from home," cried the boys in a
breath; and Fritz asked who was to get the letter.

"It is for Paul, and you and Franz get the postals. Now you can read
them while I take the dishes from the table."