With this same object in view, he entered the room one afternoon while
Elisabeth was standing by the window and sticking some fresh chick-
weed in a gilded birdcage which he had not seen in the place before.
In the cage was a canary, which was flapping its wings and shrilly
chirruping as it pecked at Elisabeth's fingers. Previously to this
Reinhard's bird had hung in that spot.

"Has my poor linnet changed into a goldfinch after its death?" he
asked jovially.

"Linnets are not accustomed to do any such thing," said Elizabeth's
mother, who sat spinning in her armchair. "Your friend Eric sent it
this noon from his estate as a present for Elisabeth."

"What estate?"

"Why, don't you know?"

"Know what?"

"That a month ago Eric took over his father's second estate by the
Immensee." [Footnote: I.e. the 'Lake of the Bees']

"But you have never said a word to me about it."

"Well," said the mother, "you haven't yet made a single word of
inquiry after your friend. He is a very nice, sensible young man."

The mother went out of the room to make the coffee. Elisabeth had her
back turned to Reinhard, and was still busy with the making of her