wake up, except to find that her plate had been loaded with good
things, so very real, that all anxiety passed away, and she realized that
she was living, and living remarkably well, into the bargain.

"Do eat your cake, or you will be the last to get through," said Hunne,
"see, Dora, Jule and I have eaten four. Jule and I can do a great many
things; only we can't pull the riding-boots off very well. You'll help
about that, won't you, Dora?" "Eat your cakes, and be quiet, Hunne," said
Jule, in a warning tone; and Dora did not answer about the boots, for Mr.
Birkenfeld was asking her questions, and she began to tell him about her
father, and of their life together in Hamburg and Karlsruhe.

Up to this time, Paula had not made any attempt to talk with Dora; but
when supper was over, she came up to her, and said, softly,

"Will you come with me a little while now?"

Dora was delighted with the invitation, for she had begun to be afraid
that Paula did not mean to have anything to say to her, and yet she had
been particularly attracted toward this quiet girl, so near her own age.
Paula had wanted to see what sort of a girl Dora was, before she made
advances, and she was evidently well pleased with what she saw, for she
now took her new friend by the hand, and led her away down the garden
path. The twins and Hunne, and even Rolf, were soon tired of waiting for
Dora to come back, and went calling and searching everywhere for her; but
they could not find her; she had quite disappeared. In fact, Paula had
taken her all round the garden, and then up to her own room. There the two
girls sat and talked, and talked, about all sorts of things. They told
each other their thoughts and feelings on various subjects, and found
themselves in perfect sympathy. It was a great happiness to both, for
neither had ever had an intimate friend, of her own age, one whose tastes,
purposes and ideals were like her own.

"Now we will be 'best friends' forever," they said, and sat, forgetful of
all the world besides, till the stars stood shining in the heavens above,
and all the earth was bathed in shadow.

The mother found them at last; she had suspected that they had taken
refuge in Paula's room. Dora sprang up hastily when she noticed how dark
it had grown, and recollected that her aunt would be expecting her. The
other children were waiting below, rather a dissatisfied little party at
Dora's disappearance; for they all wanted to talk to her. Ro