"And I'll let her use my new boat, too," added the boy.
"Why, Hans, you won't let me use your boat."
"But you are only ten, and Anna is thirteen," argued Hans.
"Even if I am only ten, I can paddle a boat."
"Time for bed now, Greta," reminded her mother. She didn't want the day to end in a quarrel.
"I'll get up early, Mother, and write Anna the very first thing."
Greta kissed her mother and father good night and started to bed. Her own little room was just across the hall from the living room. The dining room, the living room, and three of the bedrooms were on the second floor of the house. On the first floor there was the kitchen, the maids' rooms, and the large office for Greta's father. Greta liked her little room, and she especially liked the balcony that was just outside her room. It was a small balcony looking out over the courtyard. It was fun to play on this balcony and to pretend that she was an actress bowing to a large crowd of people.
Just as she was ready to jump into bed, Greta heard a scratching sound on her door. It was Chouse, who felt very much neglected because Greta had forgotten to pat him good night. This was the first time she had forgotten it, but Chouse hadn't forgotten. So there he was.
Greta hugged him tight. "Oh, Chouse, I can't let Father send you away. Whatever would I do without you? Even if you did hide my kittens, I don't want to lose you. And you will be a good dog, won't you?"
Chouse barked once, which meant "Yes," and Greta hugged him again, just for luck.