When that same evening the little ones were happily playing and the big
children were busy with their school work, Kurt stole up to his mother's
chair and asked her in a low voice, "Shall we have the story to-day?"
The mother nodded. "As soon as the little ones are in bed." At this
Maezli pricked up her ears.
When all the work was done in the evening, all the family usually played
a game together. Kurt, who was usually the first to pack up his papers,
was still scribbling away after Mea had laid hers away. Looking over his
shoulder into the note-book, she exclaimed, "He is writing some verses
again! Who is the subject of your song, Kurt?"
"I'll read it to you, then you can guess yourself," said the boy. "The
first verse is already written somewhere else. Now listen to the
second."
She stares about with stately mien:
"O ho, just look at me!
If I am not acknowledged queen,
I surely ought to be."
Her friend agrees with patient air
And fastens up her shoes.
Then queenie thinks: That's only fair,
She couldn't well refuse.
But if the friend should try to show
The queen her faults, look out!
She'd break the friendship at a blow
And straightway turn about.
Mea had been obliged to laugh a little at first at the description of the
humble behaviour which did not seem to describe her very well. Finally,
however, sad memories rose up in her.
"Do you know, mother," she cried out excitedly, "it is not the worst that
she shows me her back, but that one can't ever agree with her.
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