modestly:--

"I will do my best, Fred; but how am I to know the creatures whose
names are on your list?"

This was a sensible question, and Fred could not help seeing the
importance of it; but he was not to be deterred by a slight obstacle. He
looked again at his lists.

"Suppose I should draw a figure of each creature against its name!" he
said to himself. "I will come to see you to-morrow morning, before you
go away," he said to Elsli, and was off.

Little Rikli, whose lesson had been learned at such a severe cost, was
quite cured of her foolish screaming whenever Fred came near her with
his dear little insects; but she watched his every motion, lest his fist
or his pockets should disgorge some green-eyed frog or other equally
unpleasant treasure. Her big brother had, however, a great fascination
for the child, who followed him everywhere like his shadow. She now
came nearer to Elsli, and said, entreatingly:--

"Don't send the nasty things alive, will you, Elsli, dear? You'll stuff
them first, won't you?"

Just then, who should make his appearance but Feklitus, in his very best
Sunday suit, and at the same moment Marget's voice was heard from the
cottage, calling in a tone loud enough to sound above Hans' screams:--

"Elsli, where are you? It's strange that you can't stay in the house two
minutes at a time to-day."

Rikli ran away; but Feklitus seized Elsli by the arm and held her fast.

"I want to go to see the lady at Oak-ridge," he said, roughly. "I am
your cousin, and I want to tell her so, and that some time or other we
mean to come and visit you down there by the Rhine; but I'm not going
alone, and you've just got to come with me."

"Let me alone; don't you hear that I am wanted in the house!" And Elsli
tried to free herself from his hold.

"You shall come," said the boy; and he grasped Elsli still more firmly,
and dragged her away with him.

Oscar, Emma, Fred, and Rikli all met with the same reception from Kathri
on their return home; she stood on the front porch, and said to one
after another as they came up, in a warning whisper:--

"Hush, hush! don't make a noise! Mrs. Stickhop is in the parlor, come to
say good-bye."

Poor Elsli did not sleep much that last night at home. She was excited
by all the last words and commissions and leave-takings of her friends,
and oppressed by the thought of what was before her on the morrow, and
it was in a half-dreamy state that early on the following morn