science!" the child would exclaim with envious admiration, when he had
heard for the thousandth time every particular of the old
schoolmaster's kindness.

And Marie would answer calmly, as she "refooted" one of the father's
stockings, "We did a good deal of the grammar, which I fear I have
forgotten, and I learnt by heart a few of the Psalms in Latin, which I
remember well. Also we commenced the system of Mr. Linnæus, but I was
very stupid, and ever preferred those plates which pictured the flower
itself to those which gave the torn pieces, and which he thought most
valuable. But, above all, he taught me to be good; and though I have
forgotten many of his lessons, there are words and advice of his which
I heeded little then, but which come back and teach me now. Father
once heard the Burgomaster say he was a genius, but I know that he was
good, and that is best of all;" with which, having turned the heel of
her stocking, Marie would put it out of reach of the kitten, and lay
the table for dinner.

And Friedrich--poor Friedrich!--groaning inwardly at his sister's
indifference to her great opportunities for learning, would speculate
to himself on the probable fate of each volume in the old
schoolmaster's library, which had been sold when he, Friedrich, was
but three years old. Thus, in these circumstances, the boy expressed
his feelings with moderation when he said, "Our Marie is not clever,
but also she is never wrong."

If the schoolmaster was dead, however, Friedrich was not,
nevertheless, friendless. There was a certain bookseller in his native
town, for whom in his spare time he ran messages, and who in return
was glad to let him spend his playhours and half-holidays among the