Hanseli had given several signs that he was ready to start for home,
and wanted her to carry him. The two ladies stood at the door, and
watched her as she walked away with slow and weary steps.

"Ah! how I wish that some ray of sunshine could come into that sweet
girl's lot!" exclaimed the doctor's wife, and her sister was responding
with the same thought, when the sound of noisy voices was heard, which
became louder and louder, as Emma came running through the garden, a
brother on each side, and both accosting her in vehement tones.

"What made you carry Fani off again?"

"What have you done with all the exercise-paper?"

"What are you and he up to now?"

"It's all your fault if we can't do our lessons."

"Where have you hidden him, so that he doesn't keep his promise and
come to the meeting?"

"Where have you put all the paper; I haven't even begun on my
exercises!"

The angry questioners, with Emma between them, came up the steps. Their
mother was just then called away; their aunt exclaimed:--

"Be still, boys; how can Emma answer either of you, if you both keep up
such a fire of questions?"