When I asked the ladies if it would not be better if the child's parents decided that difficult question, I received the information that Leonore von Wallerstaetten was an orphan and that the aunt who had put her in their care had also died." "Oh, Philip, now there is no doubt any more that she is our Leonore's little daughter," Mrs.Maxa cried in the greatest agitation.

"Oh, Philip, how could you ever advise them to send her to the hospital?
Why didn't you say right away that your sister would immediately take the child into her house." "How could I do that?
Just think a moment, Maxa!" said the brother.

"Did you want me to add to your troubles and anxieties by bringing a patient sick with fever into your house?
It might turn out to be a dangerous illness, which all your five might catch; what should you have said to me then ?" "Philip, I shall go to Sils with you to-morrow and I'll ask you to take me to the ladies.

I want them to know who I am, of course.

I shall tell them that I have the right as her mother's nearest friend to receive Leonore into my house and to nurse her.