Ritz, but
be quick," Kaetheli called up to him. That just suited Ritz, for he
hoped that something particular was in store, and before Kaetheli
reached the wall, Sally was brought out.

Breathlessly Kaetheli told her what she wanted and now expected, since
Sally knew so many songs that she would bring out the desired one on the
spot. But it was not accomplished so quickly and there followed a long
explanation, for Sally must know all that was to be found in the song,
whether it was joyous or sad, and then she began to guess and to try
whether it could be this one or that, but none seemed to fit according
to the descriptions, and suddenly Kaetheli jumped up and exclaimed: "The
evening bells are ringing; I have to go home. I am afraid that father
will be at supper before me and then he'll scold. I thought you would
know it much quicker, Sally, such a simple song! Think it over and bring
it to me at school, but sure, for else Erick will be sad again. Good
night!"

Kaetheli was away like a shot, and Sally went thoughtfully back to the
house. Very soon the sitting-room was lighted up, where mother and aunt
were seated at the table, and now the father also sat down. Edi had long
since waited with his book to see whether the lamp would be lighted in
the room, for his mother had forbidden him to read in the twilight. Ritz
sat down to finish, with many a sigh, a delayed arithmetic lesson. Now
Sally entered the room; under each arm she carried four or five books of
different sizes and makeup. Panting under the heavy load she threw
them on the table.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," cried Auntie, frightened, "now Sally will turn
into a historical searcheress."

"No, no," cried Sally, "only give me a little room, I am obliged to look
for something." She sat down at once behind the heap of books and began
her work in earnest. But she did not remain undisturbed for long, for
the large amount of reading material which she had brought in attracted
the eyes of all, and all at once the father, who had looked at the books
from over his paper, said:

"Sally, I see a book which is little suited for you to read. Where did
you get the Niebelungen song?"

"I was just going to ask," said the mother, "what you intended to do
with A.M. Arndt's war songs?"

Sally had taken along from all tables and book-cases what seemed to her
a collection of songs. These two books she had found in her father's
study and now she explained that she had to find