She firmly held the little girl's hand, for there was no telling what she might undertake otherwise, and the less independent Lippo held his mother's other hand, so that the two older brothers were obliged to accommodate their steps to the rest.

But Kurt, simply bursting with impatience, dashed ahead once, only to drop behind again; later on he would appear from behind a hedge.

Lippo simply could not stand such disorder, and to even up the pairs he took Bruno's hand.
When they reached the familiar iron-grated door at last, to their surprise both wings of it were thrown open.
Mr.Trius, with his hat lowered to the ground, stood at his post to receive them.

Shining silver buttons set off a coat which plainly belonged to his gala suit.

Kurt was so completely confounded by this reception that he quickly fell into line with the rest, and the procession proceeded.