ise you I will," replied Helene, and Mr. Cruger took his
departure, accompanied by his son.

The girls were introduced to Herr Von Barwig. "And this is Helene's
romance," thought Octavie, as she looked at Von Barwig and laughed
aloud. Von Barwig thought she was a very pleasant young lady, and
smiled back in return.

"I should like Charlotte to study for the next two years, Herr Von
Barwig, and Octavie till about June," said Mrs. Cruger, who was
determined to get Herr Von Barwig to teach her nieces, since Helene had
recommended him so highly.

"I don't want to study at all," said Octavie. "Who ever heard of an
engaged girl studying?"

"And pray, am I not an engaged girl, as you call it?" asked Helene, who
was pouring out tea. "And do I not study?"

"Yes, but you're an accomplished musician and----"

"One lump or two, Herr Von Barwig?" broke in Helene, to change the
conversation.

"No lumps! Yes, thank you, I take one," said Von Barwig, somewhat
confused by the incessant chatter of the young ladies, who smiled at
his awkwardness.

"Cake, Herr Von Barwig?" Helene held out the dish to her music master.

"No, thank you," he replied quietly, and then catching an appealing
look from her, he took a cake, and then another.

"The idea of waiting on a music master," whispered Octavie to
Charlotte; "she'll spoil him."

"She's a socialist," said Charlotte.

"Come, girls, tell Herr Von Barwig what you know. If he can teach such
a finished pianist as Helene, I am determined that you shall have the
advantage of his tutelage."

"A finished musician?" thought Von Barwig. "Heaven save us! You have
had lessons before?" he continued to ask one of the gay young ladies.
"You have studied a great deal, yes?"

"We've had lots of lessons," replied Octavie, "but I don't think we've
studied; at least I haven't!" she confessed.

"Don't count on me! I know nothing; absolutely nothing!" volunteered
Charlotte.

"Well," said Von Barwig sententiously, "that is something at all
events! Many musicians take years to discover that."

"I only want to know enough to do a few stunts," said Charlotte to him
gaily.

Von Barwig's face fell. "Stunts! they do not love music," he thought,
"they want to do tricks." And then the girls talked on the subject of
musical comedies, popular songs and dance music, until their aunt
interrupted them.

"Come, Charlotte," said the excellent Mrs. Cruger. She thought her
nieces had had time