It was, therefore, a very welcome proposal to her when it was suggested that they should get together the boys of the peasants, and employ them in keeping the park clean and neat.  Edward had long entertained the idea.  A pleasant—­looking sort of uniform was made for them, which they were to put on in the evenings after they had been properly cleaned and washed.  The wardrobe was kept in the castle; the more sensible and ready of the boys themselves were intrusted with the management of it—­the Architect acting as chief director.  In a very short time, the children acquired a kind of character.  It was found easy to mold them into what was desired; and they went through their work not without a sort of manoeuvre.  As they marched along, with their garden shears, their long-handled pruning-knives, their rakes, their little spades and hoes, and sweeping-brooms; others following after these with baskets to carry off the stones and rubbish; and others, last of all, trailing along the heavy iron roller—­it was a thoroughly pretty, delightful procession.  The Architect observed in it a beautiful series of situations and occupations to ornament the frieze of a garden-house.  Ottilie, on the other hand, could see nothing in it but a kind of parade, to salute the master of the house on his near return.

And this stimulated her and made her wish to begin something of the sort herself.  They had before endeavored to encourage the girls of the village in knitting, and sewing, and spinning, and whatever else women could do; and since what had been done for the improvement of the village itself, there had been a perceptible advance in these descriptions of industry.  Ottilie had given what assistance was in her power, but she had given it at random, as opportunity or inclination prompted her; now she thought she—­would go to work more satisfactorily and methodically.  But a company is not to be formed out of a number of girls, as easily as out of a number of boys.  She followed her own good sense, and,—­without being exactly conscious of it, her efforts were solely directed toward connecting every girl as closely as possible each with her own home, her own parents, brothers and sisters:  and she succeeded with many of them.  One lively little creature only was incessantly complained of as showing no capacity for work, and as never likely to do anything if she were left at home.

Ottilie could not be angry with the girl, for to herself the little thing was especially attached—­she clung to her, went after her, and ran about with her, whenever she was permitted—­and then she would be active and cheerful and never tire.  It appeared to be a necessity of the child’s nature to hang about a beautiful mistress.  At first, Ottilie allowed her to be her companion; then she herself began to feel a sort of affection for her; and, at last, they never parted at all, and Nanny attended her mistress wherever she went.