atter how long the hours
might be, and she would never forget these happy days that the good God
had sent her now. It was long before she could close her eyes for very
bliss.

CHAPTER VIII.

MORE CHARADES.

Early the next day, as Julius was clattering along the passage with his
big riding-boots and spurs, he heard the sounds of practising in the
school-room, and knowing that Miss Hanenwinkel did not give lessons at
this hour, he pushed open the door to see what was going on. There sat
Lili at the piano, and Wili stood by, looking as if he were impatiently
counting every minute till he could have his turn.

"What are you two about?" he called out, "is this the beginning of some
mischievous prank?"

"Be quiet, Jule, we haven't a minute to lose," said Lili seriously. Jule
laughed aloud and went on his way. Going down stairs, he met Miss
Hanenwinkel.

"What has got into the twins now?" he asked. "Have they taken the notion
of being virtuous, into their small noddles?"

"That is more likely at seven than at seventeen;" was all the answer he
got.

He went on down stairs still laughing, and just at the front door met his
mother. She was starting at that early hour to try to see the doctor
before he went from home, to ask him exactly the state of Dora's arm, and
whether there was any danger for the child. Aunt Ninette's anxiety had
infected her, and she could not rest until she knew the probabilities of
the case.

"Do I hear some one playing on the piano, Jule?" she asked. "It is an
unusual sound for this time of day."

"Mother dear, I do believe that the end of the world is coming," replied
Julius;

"Lili is up there hurrying from one finger-exercise to another as if she
could not get enough of that exquisite amusement, and Wili is seated at
her side in a similar condition of nervous industry, waiting for his turn
at the piano."

"A strange state of things, to be sure, Jule," said his mother; "for it
was only yesterday that Miss Hanenwinkel was complaining to me that Lili
did not show the slightest interest in her music, and that she would not
even play her piece, much less her exercises."

"It's just as I said; the end of the world is coming," said Jule, turning
towards the stable.

"Let us hope rather the beginning," replied Mrs. Birkenfeld, starting in
the other direction to go down the hill towards the village. When she
reached the doctor's house, she was so fortunate as to find him at home,
an