“Elvira should certainly have done so,” the mother affirmed.

“Yes, and listen what happened afterwards,” Mea continued with more ardor than before.  “I ran from Loneli to Elvira, but I was still able to hear poor Loneli’s sobs, for she was awfully afraid to go home.  She knew that she had to tell her grandmother about it and she was sure that that would bring her a terrible punishment.  When I met Elvira, I told her that it was unfair of her not to accuse herself and to let Loneli bear the punishment alone.  That made her fearfully angry.  She said that I was a pleasant friend indeed, if I wished this punishment and shame upon her.  She should not have said that, mother, should she?  I told her that the matter was easy enough for her as it was all settled for her, but not for Loneli.  I asked to tell the teacher how it all happened, so that he could say something in school and let the children know what answer Loneli had given her.  Then he would see that she was innocent.  But Elvira only grew angrier still and told me that she would look for another friend, if I chose to preach to her.  She said that she didn’t want to have anything to do with me from now on and, turning about, ran away.”

“So much the better!” Kurt cried out.  “Now you won’t have to run humbly after Elvira any more, as if you were always in the wrong, the way you usually do to win her precious favor.”

“Why shouldn’t Mea meet her friend kindly again if she wants to, Kurt?” said the mother.  “Elvira knows well enough who has been offended this time and has broken off the friendship.  She will be only too glad when Mea meets her half-way.”

Kurt was beginning another protest, but it was not heard.  Lippo and Maezli arrived at that moment, loudly announcing the important news that Kathy was going to serve the soup in a moment and that the table was not even set.

The mother had put off preparations for dinner on purpose.  During the foregoing conversation she had repeatedly glanced towards the little garden gate to see if Bruno was not coming, but he could not be seen yet.  So she began to set the table with Mea, while Lippo, too, assisted her.  The little boy knew exactly where everything belonged.  He put it there in the most orderly fashion, and when Mea put a fork or spoon down quickly a little crookedly, he straightway put them perfectly straight the way they belonged.

Kurt laughed out loud, “Oh, Lippo, you must become an inn-keeper, then all your tables will look as if they had been measured out with a compass.”

“Leave Lippo alone,” said the mother.  “I wish you would all do your little tasks as carefully as he does.”

Dinner was over and the mother was looking out towards the road in greater anxiety, but Bruno had not come.

“Now he comes with a big whip,” Kurt shouted suddenly.  “Something must have happened, for one does not usually need a whip in school.”

The younger boy opened the door, full of expectation.  Bruno could not help noticing his mother’s frightened expression, despite the rage he was in, which plainly showed in his face.