would
never have looked like _that_. Thank goodness, on the way from the
station we did not meet any one, and above all we did not meet _him_.
For once in a way they all came to dinner at our boarding house. We
had two tables put together, and I seized the opportunity to change my
place, for I offered Aunt Alma the place next Father and seated myself
beside the lovely Marina, exactly opposite -- -- --! Anyway, Marina
looked quite nice at dinner, for her white blouse suits her very well,
and she has a lovely complexion, so white, with just a touch of pink in
the cheeks. But that is her only beauty. The way she does her hair is
hideous, parted and brushed quite smooth, with two pigtails. I've given
them up long ago, though everyone said they suited me very well. But
"snails" suit me a great deal better. _He_ looked across at me the whole
time, and Aunt Alma said: "Grete is blossoming out, I hope there's not
a man in the case already." "Oh no," said Father, "country air does her
such a lot of good, and when I take the children away for a change I
don't forbid any innocent pleasures." My darling Father, I had to keep a
tight hand on myself so as not to kiss him then and there. They were
all so prim, with their eyes glued to their plates as if they had never
eaten rum pudding before. It is true that Ferdinand winked at Marina,
but of course she noticed nothing. They soon put away their first helps,
and they all took a second, and then they went on talking. When we went
to our rooms I knocked at Father's door and gave him the promised kiss
and said: "You really are a jewel of a Father." "Well, will you, if you
please, be a jewel of a daughter, and keep the peace with Marina and
the others?" I said: "Oh dear, I simply can't stand her, she's such a
humbug!" "Oh well," said Father, "it may be a pity, but you know one
can't choose one's parents and one's relations." "I would not have
chosen any different parents, for we could not have found another Father
and another Mother like you." Then Father lifted me right up into the
air as if I had still been a little girl, saying: "You are a little
treasure," and we kissed one another heartily. I really do like Father
better than anyone in the world; for the way I like Hella is quite
different, she is my friend, and Dora is my sister; and I like Aunt Dora
too, and Oswald _if_ I ever see him again.

August 8th. Oh, I am so furious! To-day I got a postcard from Hella,
with nothing on it bu