"It is singular how things repeat themselves. When the children tell us
how Feklitus is constantly running after Elsli, though no one can
understand why, it reminds me of times long ago when his father, stout
Fekli, used to pursue Gritli, and how she used to run on before him,
looking back now and then and calling out with a laugh:--

"'Come and catch me if you dare,
You big, heavy-footed bear,'"--

A piercing shriek broke in upon the laugh which followed the repetition
of this long-forgotten couplet, and they both sprang to their feet; but
immediately recognizing the voice, they sat quietly down again, and
resumed their work.

"It is only Rikli," said her mother; "she is always in a fright about
nothing."

"Fred is probably amusing himself at her expense with some beetle or
frog," said the aunt. "I can't help being sorry for the child, and it's
too bad of Fred; but it's useless to run to her every time she
screams."

Just then the sound of singing arose from the other side of the garden,
apparently trying to overpower the noise of the child's cry, and they
heard the words:--

"Hanseli is a cry-baby,
Rikli is another;
She's so exactly like him