"You have no idea, children, how often I have wished that you, too, could have such friends." "Please go on," Kurt begged impatiently.

"Where did they go, mother?
Doesn't anyone know what has become of them ?" "Whenever our brothers, as we called them, were free," the mother continued, "they were our beloved playmates.

We valued their stimulating company very much and were always happy when through some chance they were exempt from some of their numerous lessons.

They always asked us to join them in their games and we were very happy that they wanted our company.

Baroness von Wallerstaetten had guessed right.