I was both ashamed and angry at the way they went on, for both Baldrian and Kurz joined in the squabble, and even Joseph began to mix himself up in it, but fortunately our carriage drove up, and I got him away as quickly as I could.”  “What did the duelist say?” “Oh, the wretch was wise enough to run away here as soon as he had concluded his stolen sermon.”  “And you gave him a regular good scolding, I suppose,” said Braesig.  “Not I indeed,” said Mrs. Nuessler decidedly.  “I wasn’t going to put my finger in that pie.  His father is coming today and he is ‘the nearest’ to him, as Mrs. Behrens would say; and I’ve told Joseph that he’s not to mix himself up in the affair or to talk about it at all.  He’s quite changed latterly.  He has got into the habit of putting up his back and meddling with things with which he has nothing to do.  Now just keep quiet, Joseph.”  “Yes, Joseph, hold your tongue,” said Braesig.  “And my two girls,” continued Mrs. Nuessler, “are quite different from what they used to be.  Since that unlucky sermon their eyes have always been red with crying, and they’ve gone about the house as quietly as mice.  They hardly ever say a word to each other now, though they used never to be separate, and when one of them was happy or unhappy the other had to know all about it immediately.  My household is all at odds.”  “Mother,” said young Joseph rising from his chair with a look of determination, “that’s just what I say, and I will speak; you’ll see that the boys have put it into their heads.”  “What have they put into their heads, Joseph?” asked Mrs. Nuessler crossly.  “Love affairs,” said Joseph, sinking back into his corner.  “My dear mother always used to say that when a divinity student and a governess were in the same house * * * And you’ll see the truth of it with Godfrey and Mina.”  “Law, Joseph!  How you do talk to be sure!  May God preserve you in your right mind!  That’s all nonsense, but if it were the case, the divinity student should leave the house at once and Rudolph too.  Come away, Braesig, I’ve got something to say to you.”

As soon as they had left the house, Mrs. Nuessler signed to Braesig to follow her into the garden, and when they were seated in the arbor, she said:  “I can’t stand Joseph’s eternal chatter any longer, Braesig.  It was Rudolph who taught him to speak so much by continually encouraging him to talk last winter, and he has got into the habit now and won’t give it up.  But, tell me honestly—­remember you promised to watch—­have you seen anything of the kind going on?” “Bless me!  No.  Not the faintest approach to anything of the sort.”  “I can’t think it either,” said Mrs. Nuessler thoughtfully.  “At first Lina and Godfrey, and Mina and Rudolph used to go about together.  Afterward Mina took to Godfrey, and Lina to Rudolph, but ever since the examination Lina and Godfrey have been on their old terms with each other once more, while Mina and Rudolph have never made friends again; indeed I may say that