green in the mean while."

"Very good; fir-trees, perhaps."

"Leave it to me," continued Anton; "and, after all, we won't exclude
Pix, but invite him with the rest. That is a much better revenge, and
worthy of your good heart."

"You think so?" inquired Specht, doubtfully.

"I am sure of it. I propose next Sunday evening; and will send out the
invitations in our joint names."

"In writing," cried Specht, in ecstasy, "on pink paper."

"The very thing."

The clerks were not a little amazed the following morning at receiving
smart-looking notes, laid by Mr. Specht himself, early in the morning,
upon the desk of each, inviting them to see the pumpkins flower in his
apartment. However, as Anton's name was at the bottom of the page, there
was nothing for it but to accept. Meanwhile Anton took Sabine into his
confidence, and begged from her ivy and flowers. Specht himself worked
hard the remainder of the week, and on the day of the festival, with the
help of the servant, he contrived to entwine the threads with green
leaves, to procure a number of colored lamps, and to intermix with the
leaves some triangular inventions of yellow paper, which were
marvelously like the flowers of the pumpkin.

Thus the room really did present the aspect Mr. Specht had long seen in
his day-dreams. The colleagues were exceedingly amazed. Mr. Pix was the
last to enter, and could not suppress an exclamation of surprise when he
saw the unlucky arbor positively overgrown and covered with yellow
flowers, shining in the colored lamp-light. The great flower-pots were
filled with gay nosegays, a red lamp hung down from the centre, and on
the rustic table was placed a large pumpkin. Anton would make the
quartette sit in the arbor, and grouped the others around the room, the
bed having been arranged with bolsters and cushions so as to look like a
second sofa.

When they were all settled, Specht approached the great pumpkin, and
solemnly exclaimed, "You have long plagued me about pumpkins; here is my
revenge." He took hold of the short stalk, and lifted away the other
half. It was hollow. A bowl of punch stood within. The clerks laughed,
and cried "Bravo!" while Specht filled the glasses.

Nevertheless, at first, there was a certain degree of estrangement
visible between the host and his guests. True, the obnoxious word was
never mentioned, but his propositions seldom found favor. When Anton
went round dispensing a bundle of Turkish pipes, which