"If you have no objection, I'll go with you," said our friend, and did so without waiting for an answer.
"Do you see the old teacher often?"
"Oh, yes: he's a cousin of mine: his wife was my grandmother's sister."
"Was she? Why, I'm delighted to hear it."
"Why? Did you know my grandaunt?"
"No, I was only thinking----"
On entering the old teacher's garden, Hedwig closed the gate hastily behind her: the white hen, thus excluded, posted herself before it like a sentinel.
"What makes that hen run after you so?" asked the teacher. "That's something extraordinary."
Hedwig pulled at her apron in great embarrassment.
"Are you not permitted to tell me?" persisted the teacher.