attempt, and"--

"And wished to show how nicely it could be made without robbing
your flowers!" interrupted Sophie, laughing. "In reality, I am very
cruel! I cut all the heads of her favorites off. To-morrow, as a
parody upon her garland of to-day, will I make one of green cabbage
and pea-shells!"

"Madeira or port wine?" asked the Kammerjunker, and led the
conversation from flowers to articles of food and drink.

"One feels one's self comfortable here at the hall! Miss Louise
cares for the body, and Miss Sophie for the soul!"

"And mamma bestows a good cup of coffee," said the mother; "you
must also praise me a little!"

"I give music after dinner!" cried Wilhelm; "and thus the whole
family will have shown their activity!"

"But no voluntaries!" said the Kammerjunker; "no voluntaries, dear
friend! No, a brisk song, so that one can hear what it is! but none
of your artificial things!" A right proper blow on the shoulders
was intended to soften his expression.



CHAPTER IX

"She sees if the cloth is clean and white