on Baron
Thaddeus von Brakel's forehead. He was ashamed of Felix's lack of
polish; and the mother whispered to the boy hurriedly, "Don't make such
a clattering with those teeth of yours, ill-bred boy!" This put poor
Felix into a state of utter consternation, for he didn't know he was
doing anything wrong. He took the half-eaten bonbon out of his mouth,
put it into the paper parcel again, and handed the whole thing back to
his uncle, saying, "Take your sugar away with you again!--that's all I
care about, if I mayn't eat it." Christlieb, accustomed to follow
Felix's example in all things, did the same with _her_ paper-cornet.
This was too much for poor Baron Thaddeus, who cried out, "Ah! my
honoured and gracious cousin! do not be annoyed with the silliness of
those simple children. Really, in the country, and in our straitened
circumstances, alas! who could bring up children in the style in which
you have brought up yours?" Count Cyprianus smiled a gracious smile as
he glanced at Herrmann and Adelgunda. They had long since finished
eating their biscuit, and were now sitting as mum as mice upon their
chairs, without the slightest motion of either their faces or their
limbs. The fat lady smiled too, and lisped out, "Really, dear cousin,
the education of our children lies nearer our hearts than anything in
the world." She made a sign to Count Cyprianus, who immediately turned
to Herrmann and Adelgunda, and asked them all sorts of questions, which
they answered with the utmost readiness. The questions were about
towns, rivers, and mountains, many thousands of miles off, and having
the oddest names; also they could tell what every sort of animal was
like, which was to be found in the remotest quarters of the globe. Then
they spoke of plants, trees, and shrubs, just as if they had seen them
themselves, and eaten of the fruits. Herrmann gave a minute description
of all that had happened at a great battle three hundred years ago, or
more, and was able to cite the names of all the Generals who had taken
part in it. At length Adelgunda even spoke of the stars, and stated
that there were all sorts of beasts, and curious figures, in the sky.
This made Felix quite frightened and uneasy; he got close to his
mother, and whispered, "Ah, mamma! dearest mamma! what is all that
nonsense that they're blabbering about?" "Hold your tongue, stupid
boy!" his mother replied. "Those are the Sciences."

Felix held his peace.

"Astonishing!" crie