After the first torrent of welcomings, questions and answers,—­for Mr. H——­ did not dare do otherwise than to cordially welcome his guest—­had subsided, and the family had entered the dining room, and the hostess had pressed the acceptance of a third cup of tea upon the young man, who was already sufficiently heated without undergoing this ordeal; she thus addressed him:—­

“Now, my dear little Gottlieb, you look remarkably well, you little rogue.  Is it really true that you have made this long journey to see us on foot?”

“It is indeed true; this green coat is my usual costume when I do not wear a blouse, which is my favorite garment.  My better apparel is contained within my knapsack, and thus I have given you an invoice of my wardrobe, which you see, my dear aunt, is not very extensive.”

“But your under-clothes, my child?”

“What, under-clothes, do you think I could give my dear uncle so much trouble as to bring linen clothes with me?”

“What a careless fellow you are!”

“‘You have now,’ said my mother, when I took my leave, ’you have now four rare pieces of linen, styled shirts; but when you return, you must travel by steam, for you will undoubtedly possess twenty-four!’”

“Ah!” replied his aunt, with a smile, “I understand you now.”

“How do you understand me?” inquired Gottlieb.

“As belonging to that class of persons, sir, who never find themselves at a loss,” replied uncle Fabian, in a tone of voice which he intended should be overwhelming.

Gottlieb, however, was not inclined to be thus easily driven from the field.  “You have hit the nail upon the head,” said he, with an assumed expression of respect for the decision of his uncle, “and it is by the means of that very trait of character which you have mentioned, that I hope to work myself through the world, although I am only the son of a poor secretary in a government office, who is embarrassed by debt and a large family, thus you perceive I cannot depend solely upon the whims of fortune.”

“What then are your prospects for the future?” inquired the lady seriously.

“I have but one,” replied Gottlieb.

“And what is that?”

“My plan is very simple, I have thoroughly studied financial matters, and in the fall intend to help my father in his office, so that he can spare the services of his two assistants.  He will then have only one salary to pay; but I think that I can do the work of three, and as I intend to become a model of order, capability and energy, I hope to be able to win the favor of the head of the treasury department, so that when my father, who at present is in a very feeble state of health, shall be obliged to resign, I may be appointed in his stead.  This is my plan.”

“You are a shrewd young man,” said Mistress Ulrica.

“It is not necessary to be shrewd when the high road is plain before you.”