e was
about to make some objections.

'They must not, however, start together from the shore,' said Ulrich.
'Well, do you set the red ship on that side and I will place the green
one here,' answered Martin; 'and then they may seek each other if they
wish to come together.'

Brightly burning, the little barks swam towards each other for a
moment; then, both floated to the edge of the platter and remained
motionless, at some little distance apart.

'Master Dorn is too indolent!' cried Martin, throwing a nut-kernel at
the green skiff to urge it towards the red; but it only reeled to and
fro, without removing from its place.

'Insufferable!' cried Dorn. At that moment the water became slightly
agitated, and both skiffs left their stations at the side for the open
sea.

'Faith has jostled the table!' cried the falcon-eyed Hedwig.

'I--no--I wish to hinder their meeting,' stammered the confused Faith.

'Did you really jostle the table, dearest maiden?' asked Dorn, his hand
again seeking hers.

'Ah, ah, my daughter!' reprovingly exclaimed madam Rosen, and amid the
exclamations of the children the two skiffs met in mid ocean, while a
gentle pressure from Faith's hand gave an affirmative answer to the
bold question of the youth.

The joy of the children, which the grandmother's remonstrances only
increased, was every moment becoming more bold and noisy. Without aim
or object a crowd of lights were now set afloat in the mimic ocean, and
apple cuttings and bread bullets flew like bombs among them, causing
immense damage and innumerable shipwrecks. 'It is enough!' cried
Fessel, the disturbance becoming excessive, and moved his chair from
the table. A respectful silence succeeded the wild tumult. The children
dutifully arose, folded their hands with a serious air, and Martin said
grace with decent solemnity.

The mistress of the house now invited her beloved guests to retire to
rest; that they might sleep away the fatigues of the day; but the
children, who had again become as noisy as ever, and had not the least
inclination to sleep, strongly opposed the movement.

'It would be fine indeed,' cried Martin, 'if we should have no writing
of notes.'

'Pray, pray, dear mother!' entreated the flattering and constant
petitioner, Hedwig. 'You well know that you promised me, if I filled a
writing book without blotting, that I should be indulged with writing
notes, on new year's evening. My last writing book is without a spot,