"Almost always," replied Wili rather timidly, while Lili, recalling
certain deviations from perfect obedience during her father's absence,
thought it best not to make any answer. The twins were eight years old,
and perfectly inseparable, never more so than in planning and carrying out
various delightful plans, of whose mischievousness they were really only
half conscious.

"And you, Rolf, how is it with you?" said the father, turning to a
twelve-year old lad with a high forehead, and a strong, firm neck. "Plenty
of Latin learned? More new puzzles ready?"

"I have been doing both, father," said the boy. "But the children will not
guess my riddles, and my mother has not time to try."

"That is too bad," said his father, kindly and turning to the eldest
daughter, a girl of nearly thirteen, he drew her to his side and said
tenderly,

"And you Paula, are you still alone in your garden walks? have you no dear
friend with you yet?"

"No, of course not, father, but it is beautiful to have you at home
again," she answered as she embraced him.

"And I hope my 'big Jule,' is using his vacation in some sensible way?"

"I combine the agreeable with the useful," said Julius gaily, returning
his father's embrace. "You must know, father, that the hazel-nuts are
almost ripe and I am watching them carefully, and meantime I am riding
Castor a good deal, so that he may not grow too lazy."

Julius was at home now only for the summer holidays, his school being in a
distant town. He was seventeen, and tall, even too tall for his years so
that in the family he was generally called "Big Jule."

Mr. Birkenfeld now turned to shake hands with the children's governess and
the dear friend of the family, Miss Hanenwinkel, when Jule interrupted
him.

"Come papa, I beg that you will do the rest of your greetings in the
garden, where a most astonishing reception awaits you."

But his words cost him dear, for Wili and Lili sprang upon him as he
spoke, pinching, pounding and thumping him to give him to understand that
the "surprise" was not a thing to be talked about beforehand. He defended
himself to the best of his ability.

"Lili, you little gad-fly, you, stop, stop, I tell you. I will make it all
right," and he shouted to his father,

"I mean you are to go into the garden where my mother has prepared all
sorts of delicious things for your supper, to celebrate your return."

"That is delightful. We shall find a big table spread under m