“If you prefer to go with Miss Hanenwinkel,” said Jule quickly, so that the governess might be sure to hear what he said; “you will be preserved in salt; quite the opposite you see to plums, which are done in sugar!  If your choice falls on the twins, you will be torn in two, and as to little Hunne; if you go with him he will talk you deaf!”

In spite of this melancholy prediction, Dora allowed herself to be carried off by the twins, and Hunne ran after them.  When they reached the piano, Lili began to play her one piece, and when she came to the end, she glanced at Dora who nodded so pleasantly that Lili, thus encouraged, began again at the beginning.  Presently Dora began to sing the words; Wili, who was waiting in vain for his chance to play, joined her; then Hunne too; so that a loud chorus rang out cheerily from the school-room—­

    “Live your life merrily
      While the lamp glows;
     Ere it can fade and die,
      Gather the rose.”

They were so carried away by their own music that the voices rose louder and louder, and Hunne’s out-screamed them all.  Presently Lili twirled round on her stool, and said, her eyes shining with joyful expectation: 

“Just wait till to-morrow, Dora, and then you’ll see!” for the child had worked so diligently at her exercises that morning that she felt that she had a right to claim at least half a dozen new pieces from Miss Hanenwinkel to-morrow.

At this moment the bell rang for the twins to go to their lessons; a sound that Hunne was well-pleased to hear, for now he could have Dora to himself till dinner-time; and the little girl gave herself up to him so cheerfully and with such warm interest in the artistic performances of his nut-cracker, that he made a firm resolution then and there never to let her go again.  But no sooner was dinner over, than his plan was completely upset.  Paula had finished her French lessons, and with her mother’s leave, she now took possession of Dora.  As for Dora, she asked nothing better; she would have been glad to spend whole days and nights talking with Paula, telling all the secrets of her heart, and hearing in return all her friend’s thoughts and wishes, hopes and fears.  They both felt sure that they could never be tired of being together, and of sharing each other’s memories of the past and plans for the future.  A long life-time would not be enough for them.  It was seven o’clock before they again joined the family group which was gathered under the apple-tree; and being late they slipped into their places very quickly, for the father had begun to cough significantly, to show that things were not just as they should be.  During the meal, Rolf cast meaning looks across to Dora, that seemed to say,

“We two have a plan together next; don’t forget!”

While they all sat chatting merrily after supper was over, Rolf was watching the sky, to see when the first pale star should peep through the twilight amid the twigs of the apple-tree; and as soon as he spied one, he came to Dora, saying