. If only
Woelfchen did not get it too. His mother had a great dread of it. She
had kept him away from the Laemkes until quite recently; but there was
always the danger of infection at school. Oh dear, one never had peace,
owing to the child.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

They had had a splendid time out of doors. The lake that lies below
the villas like a calm eye between the dark edges of the woods was
frozen; Wolfgang and half of his form had been skating there. Kate had
also walked up and down the shore for some time after their midday
meal, watching her boy. How nicely he skated already. He was more
secure on his legs and skated better than many of the lads who
were describing the figure eight and circles, skating in the Dutch
style and dancing with ladies. He was always trying to do all kinds of
tricks already, he was certainly courageous. If only he did not fall
down or tumble into the water! And he was always skating into the
middle of the lake, where the wisps of straw had been placed to show
that it was dangerous. It seemed to the mother that nothing could
happen to him as long as she stood on the shore watching him
incessantly. But at last her feet were quite frozen, and she had to go
home.

When the boy came home, as it was commencing to grow dark, he was
very bright. He spoke of the skating with great glee. "Oh, that was
ripping. I should like to run like that for ever--to-morrow, the day
after to-morrow--every day--and further and further every time. The
lake is much too small."

"Aren't you tired at all?" inquired his mother, smiling at him. She
never grew weary of gazing at him, he looked so beaming.

"Tired?" The corners of his mouth drooped with a smile that was
almost contemptuous. "I'm never tired. Not of such things. Cilia said
she would like to skate with me some time."

"Well, why not?" His father, who was sitting at the table drinking
his coffee, smiled good-humouredly; it amused him to tease the lively
boy a little. "Then your mother will have to engage a second housemaid,
as long as there's ice on the ground."

Wolfgang did not understand that he was bantering. He cried out,
quite happy: "Yes, she must do that." But then his face grew long: "But
she has no skates, she says. Father, you'll have to buy her some."

"I'l be hanged if I will--well, what next?" His father gave a loud
laugh. "No, my boy, with all due respect to Cilia, it would be
carrying it