Her cry was so vigorous that Mr. Trius became quite blue with rage.  “Be quiet, you little monster!” he said, but he opened the door nevertheless.

“Maybe we shouldn’t go in,” said Leonore.  Maezli pulled her along, however, and never let go her hand till they had reached the terrace; she had no desire to leave her friend behind when they were so near their goal.  Now, Maezli quickly taking back the second picture-book, which Leonore had been carrying for her, began to run.

“Just come!  Leonore.  Look! there he sits already.”  With this Maezli flew over to the large pine tree.

“How do you do, Mr. Castle-Steward!  Didn’t I come soon again, this time?” she merrily called out to him.  “I have also brought everything I promised.  Here are the picture books—­look! two of them.  I thought you might look through one too quickly.”

Maezli laid both books on the lion skin and began to rummage through her pockets.  “Look what else I brought you,” and Maezli laid down a tiny ivory whistle.  “Kurt gave it to me once and now I give it to you.  If you have a headache and Mr. Trius is far away, all you need to do is to whistle.  Then he can come and bring you some water.  He’ll hear it far, far away, because it whistles as loud as anything.  Just try it once!  I have also brought you Leonore.”

The gentleman started slightly and looked up.  Leonore had shyly retreated behind the chair, but Maezli pulled her forward.  The gentleman now threw a penetrating glance at the delicate looking little girl, who hardly dared to raise her large, dark eyes to his.  Leonore, who had blushed violently under his scrutiny, said in a barely audible voice, “Perhaps we should not have come; but Maezli thought we might be allowed to see you.  Can we do something for you?  Perhaps Maezli should not have brought me.  Oh, I am so sorry if I have offended you.”

“No, indeed.  Maezli meant well when she wanted me to meet her friend,” the gentleman said in quite a friendly voice.  “What is the name of Maezli’s friend?”

“Leonore von Wallerstaetten,” the girl answered, and noticing the large books on the gentleman’s knees, she added, “May I take the books away?  They might be too heavy.”

“Yes, you might, but it was very good of Maezli to bring them all the way up to me,” he said.  “I’ll look at them a little later.”

“May I fix your pillow for you?  It does not do you much good that way,” said Leonore, pulling it up.  It had long ago slipped out of position.

“Oh, this is better, this is lovely,” the sick man replied, comfortably leaning back in the chair.

“What a shame!  It won’t stay, I am afraid.  It is falling down again,” said Leonore regretfully.  “We ought to have a ribbon.  If I only had one and a thread and needle!—­but perhaps we could come again to-morrow—­”

Leonore became quite frightened suddenly at her boldness and remained silent from embarrassment.  But Maezli got her out of this trying situation.  Full of confidence she announced that they would return the next day with everything necessary.