over the court, on one occasion, a tall lad came
up to him. The boy came from the same fatal door through which Master
Falk had rushed out upon Richard with such bad intentions. The servant
held his hat in his right hand, and with his left fumbled the bright
buttons on his red vest.

"Herr Frank, excuse me; I have something to say to you. I have wanted
to speak to you for the last three days, but could not because my
master was always in the way. But now, as my master is in the fields, I
can state my trouble, if you will allow me."

"What trouble have you?"

"I am the Swiss through whose fault the steer came near doing you a
great injury. It is inexplicable to me, even now, how the animal got
loose. But Falk is very cunning. I cannot be too watchful of him. His
head is full of schemes; and before you can turn around, he has played
one of his tricks. The chain has a clasp with a latch, and how he broke
it, he only knows."

"It is all right," replied Frank. "I believe you are not to blame."

"I am not to blame about the chain. But I am for the door being open,
Miss Angela said; and she is perfectly right. Therefore, I beg your
pardon and promise you that nothing of the kind shall happen in
future."

"The pardon is granted, on condition that you guard the steer better."

"Miss Angela said that too; and she required me to ask your pardon,
which I have done."

Angela stood in the garden, hidden behind the rose-bushes, and heard,
smiling, the conversation.

As Frank passed over the yard, she came from the garden carrying a
basketful of vegetables. At the same time a harvest-wagon, loaded with
rapes and drawn by four horses, came into the yard.

"Your industry extends to the garden also, Miss Angela," said Frank,
"Now I know no branch of housekeeping that you cannot take a part in."

"My work is, however, insignificant," she returned. "In a large house
there is always a great deal to do, and every one must try to be
useful."

"Your garden deserves all praise," continued Richard, eyeing the
contents of the baskets. "What magnificent peas and beans!"

For the first time Frank observed in her face something like flattered
vanity, and he almost rejoiced at this small shadow on the celestial
form before him. But the supposed shadow was quickly changed into light
before his eyes. "Father brought these early beans into the
neighborhood; they are very tender and palatable. Father likes them,
and I am glad to be able t