Oscar cast a look of pity upon his brother, and left the room.
That afternoon as Mrs.Stein and her sister sat out in the garden, with their work-basket on the table between them, the former said:-- "It is singular how things repeat themselves.

When the children tell us how Feklitus is constantly running after Elsli, though no one can understand why, it reminds me of times long ago when his father, stout Fekli, used to pursue Gritli, and how she used to run on before him, looking back now and then and calling out with a laugh:-- "'Come and catch me if you dare, You big, heavy-footed bear,'"-- A piercing shriek broke in upon the laugh which followed the repetition of this long-forgotten couplet, and they both sprang to their feet; but immediately recognizing the voice, they sat quietly down again, and resumed their work.
"It is only Rikli," said her mother; "she is always in a fright about nothing." "Fred is probably amusing himself at her expense with some beetle or frog," said the aunt.

"I can't help being sorry for the child, and it's too bad of Fred; but it's useless to run to her every time she screams." Just then the sound of singing arose from the other side of the garden, apparently trying to overpower the noise of the child's cry, and they heard the words:-- "Hanseli is a cry-baby, Rikli is another; She's so exactly like him That he must be her brother." "That's Fred!" exclaimed Mrs.Stein.

"So he is certainly not with Rikli." And as the little girl's shrieks grew louder she began to think something serious was the matter, and the two ladies started away in the direction of the sound.

Poor Rikli was indeed in a wretched plight.