"You all know the long manufactory under the hill," continued Mrs.Birkenfeld, "with the large house surrounded by a beautiful garden.

Lili, my friend, lived there, and I remember very well the first time I ever saw her.
"I was about six years old, and I was playing one day in the parsonage garden with my simple dolls, which I set up on flat stones, that I always collected for seats for my children, whenever and wherever I found them.
For I had no such outfit for my dolls as you children have now, no sofas and chairs and other furniture.

You all know that your grandfather was the pastor in Tannenburg, and we led a very simple life at the parsonage.

My playmates, two of the neighbors' children, were standing as usual by me and staring at me while I played, without saying one word.

They never seemed to take the interest in my plays that I thought they deserved.