After supper, the parents again opposed what had taken place; but the Candidate was so cheerful and so determined that it should remain as it was settled already, that Petrea, the happiest of mortals, ventured to carry out the girl and rose-bush; yet, she did not miss a motherly warning by the way, which mingled some tears with her joy.

The Candidate had, in the mean time, on account of his kindness towards the children, and his good-nature towards Petrea, made a favourable impression on the parents.
"Who knows," said Elise to her husband, "but that he may turn out very well.

He has, probably, his faults, but he has his good qualities too; there is something really very agreeable in his voice and countenance; but he must leave off that habit of looking at himself so continually in the glass." "I feel assured that he must have worth," said the Judge, "from the recommendation of my friend B.This vanity, and these foppish habits of his, we shall soon know how to get rid of; the man himself is unquestionably good; and, dear Elise, be kind to him, and manage so that he shall feel at home with us." The children also, in their place of rest, made their observations on the Candidate.
"I think he is much handsomer than my father," said little Petrea.
"I think," said the Queen-bee, in a tone of correction, "that nobody can be more perfect than my father." "That is true, excepting mamma," exclaimed Eva, out of her little bed.
"Ah," said Petrea, "I like him so much; he has given me that lovely picture.

Do you know what I shall call that girl?
I shall call her Rosa; and I'll tell you a long story about her.

There was once upon a time----" All the sisters listened eagerly, for Petrea could relate better and prettier stories than any of them.