"I can certainly
say that mine are, and where two hold to the right path, a third is sure
to follow."
"My eldest is never one to follow blindly," Mrs. Maxa said with
animation. "I should not wish it either in this case. I shall keep him
at home as long as it is possible for me, and after that I shall send him
away under God's protection."
"Just as you say," the other lady uttered, rising and taking leave. "We
can talk the question of boarding over again another time," she remarked
as she was going away; "when the time comes, my husband's preparation for
the future will be welcome, I am sure."
When the mother, after escorting her guest, came back to the children's
room, Maezli immediately called out, "Did she say if the two are still
locked up?"
"What are you inventing, Maezli?" said the mother. "You probably don't
know yourself what it means."
"Oh, yes, I know," Maezli assured her. "I asked her if the boys were
still locked up because Kurt said that."
Kurt laughed out loud: "Oh, you naughty child to talk so wild! Because I
say that those two ought to be locked up, Maezli runs over and immediately
asks their mother that question."
Mrs. Maxa now understood clearly where her visitor had heard about her
boy's behaviour of yesterday.
"Maezli," she said admonishingly, "have you forgotten that you are not to
ask questions of grown-up people who come to see me?"
"But why shouldn't I ask what the locked-up children are doing?" Maezli
declared, feigning great pity in her voice.
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