The time was already near at hand when all the children had to get back to school.
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.