After these words the gentleman got up.
"It seems to me, my dear Mrs.Halm, that all your children have pretty high-flown ideas," he said impressively.

"I can only hope that before long they will learn that in this world it is not possible for everybody to do what he pleases." The mother approved this good wish, but added: "I have to tell you, though, that Mux has gotten this idea from his favorite book, where the picture of a general on horseback interests him more than anything else.

This, of course, is a passing impression, like many others." "One can never urge proper and successful work too soon nor too often; please do not overlook that, my friend!" With these words the guardian ended the interview and, saying good-bye, carefully descended the steep staircase.
Just then a child was running up the stairs so quickly that it actually seemed as if she had no need to touch the steps at all.

As the gentleman was taking up all the room, the only space left for a passage was under the arm with which he held the railing.

Here the lithe creature tried to slip through.
"Stop, stop! Do you not belong to the parson's widow, Mrs.Halm ?" asked the gentleman, making a barrier with his arm.
"Yes, I belong to her," was the quick answer.