"That is not proper," whispered the lady; "but look there at the
splendid large raisins on the tree!"

Sophie stepped before Thorwaldsen's Shepherd-boy. The lady
whispered to a friend, "It looks so odd that she should examine the
figures!"

"Ah!" replied the other, "she is a lover of the fine arts, as you
well know. Only think! at the last exhibition she went with her
brother into the great hall where all the plaster-casts stand, and
looked at them!--the Hercules, as well as the other indecent
figures! they were excellent, she said. That is being so natural;
otherwise she is a nice girl."

"It is a pity she is a little awry."

Sophie approached them; both ladies made room for her, and invited
her most lovingly to sit clown beside them. "Thou sweet girl!" they
flatteringly exclaimed.



CHAPTER V

"Hark to trumpets and beaten gongs,
Squeaking fiddles, shouts and songs.
Hurra! hurra!
The Doctor is here;
And here the hills where fun belongs."
J. L. HEIBERG.