NEW APPEARANCES IN ILLER-STREAM In the Director's house in Iller-Stream reigned great excitement.

The day had come when the two ladies from town were expected to arrive for their lengthy stay.

To celebrate the coming of his guests, the master of the house had ordered a festive dinner for the middle of the day.
He had been longing for this day, so was in a splendid humor.

It was very important for him to start on his journey right away, and he had waited only to be able formally to receive his visitors.

Also he had promised his cousin to give the reins of the household into her hands himself, after which event he had planned to start on his journey.
To Cornelli the preparations for the arrival of the new members of the household seemed very annoying, everything being different from usual.
She commonly very much enjoyed the prospect of company, for on such occasions she paid frequent visits to the kitchen, where Esther was always busy cooking.
As soon as Cornelli appeared in the doorway, Esther would call to her: "Come and see which you like best, Cornelli; I am sure they are not so bad." A small yellow apple tart and a round purple plum cake were ready for the child to taste, for her visit had been anticipated.
Cornelli always assured the cook that the apple tarts were excellent and the plum cakes even better.
Then Cornelli would go into the pantry, where Miss Mina was fixing fruit on the crystal platters.