s if he were speaking a foreign language,
then suddenly exclaimed, "You are a dear good fellow. You manage to
bring good out of everything."

Lenz was content, and Franzl's joy knew no bounds. First the mother
shook hands with her and then Annele, while both praised the neatness
of passage-way, kitchen, and sitting-room.

"I shall find it hard to get used to these low rooms," said Annele,
stretching up her hand till it nearly touched the ceiling.

"I cannot make the rooms higher. Besides, they are more easily warmed
than high ones."

"To be sure. You must remember, Lenz, what a big house I have always
lived in. The ceiling seems to be pressing on my head at first; but I
sha'n't mind it. Don't be afraid that will disturb me."

Lenz turned round the tool-receiver that hung like a chandelier from
the ceiling, and began to explain to Annele the various implements with
which it was covered,--the names of the different drills, and the
special purpose each was used for. "But you will soon get acquainted
with all these things that make up so much of my life. They are my
silent work-fellows. Now I will show you our house."

The mother stayed with Franzl in the kitchen, while Lenz took Annele
all over the house, showing her the seven beds already stuffed, besides
two great bags of feathers from which others could be filled, and
opening boxes and chests wherein were stored rich heaps of linen. "What
do you say to that, Annele? Aren't you surprised? Did you ever see
anything so splendid?"

"It is all very good and in nice order. But, dear me! I won't tell you
of all my sister Theresa has, for of course, where there are often
sixteen guests in a house, heaps of linen are necessary; they are part
of the business. But if you could only see the chests that Babette's
mother-in-law has! These are nothing to them."

Lenz turned as pale as death, and could hardly stammer out: "Annele,
don't talk in that way, don't be making fun now."

"I am not making fun. I am in sober earnest. Really I am not in the
least surprised, for I have seen finer and better linen, and more of
it. Do be reasonable, and not expect me to stand on my head at a thing
which is all very well, but no way remarkable. I have seen more of the
world than you have."

"Very likely," said Lenz, with white lips.

Annele passed her hand over his face, and said jestingly, "What does it
matter, dear Lenz, whether your stores astonish me or not? Your mother
has done br