When this was done, Fraeulein Milch called in Claus, with his wife and
daughter, and the Seven-piper with his whole family. They were directed
to deliver the bundles to the people to whom they were addressed, and
were very ready to undertake the work.

"It's very well that you don't give any money," said Claus; "but
there's something wanting."

"What is it?"

The entrance of Sonnenkamp and Roland prevented his replying.

Sonnenkamp expressed much pleasure with the discreet manner in which
his money had been used, and spoke a few friendly words to Fraeulein
Milch, whom he had not seen since the morning when Roland was missing.

He asked for the Major, and learned with regret that he had not been
well during the night, and had not slept till nearly morning, so that
he was probably still asleep; he had, happily, a constitution which
always recovered its tone by sleep.

The Professorin asked to be excused, as she wished to send off the
things before she attended to her early visitors; she now asked Claus
what he meant by saying that an important thing was wanting.

"Yes," said the huntsman, "Herr Sonnenkamp is just the man for it."

"For what?"

"I mean that it is all well and good to wrap people up and protect them
from the cold; but hilarity and joy are still lacking, and I think
something ought to be done about warming up inside, and it wouldn't go
amiss to send every one of them a bottle of wine. Every year the people
see the vineyards before their eyes, and work in them, and most of them
don't ever drink, so much as a single drop of the wine."

"Good!" said Sonnenkamp. "Go to the butler, and tell him to put with
every bundle a good bottle of last year's wine."

Sonnenkamp was in a most lavish mood, for he put, besides, in each
bundle a gold-piece; but he almost spoiled the whole by saying to
Claus,--

"You see how much confidence I have in you. I have no doubt that you
will deliver it all faithfully."

All the huntsman's jolly good humor seemed damped, but he restrained
his anger, and only pressed his lips tightly together.

Roland helped carry the bundles to a cart which was waiting before the
house, Sonnenkamp wanted to prevent him, but the Mother made him a sign
to let him do it. With the last package, Fraeulein Milch disappeared.

In the emptied room Sonnenkamp told the Professorin of his plan of
removing to the capital, and begged her to accompany the family.

Gratefully, but most positively, t