Peacefully and calmly, the days passed by. Walpurga's favorite resort was in the neighborhood of the dairy-farm; for there were cows there, and cows are the same everywhere, and don't know that they belong to the king, or that their milk is served at his table.
Walpurga remarked this one day to Baum, who had discovered that he could meet her there, and he replied:
"Oh, how clever you are; if I only had got a wife like you."
"There are dozens like me."
"Oh, not so clever as you are. You could get far in the world, if you only wanted to."
"How far should I go?" said Walpurga. "I want to go home and no farther."
"No one will think the worse of you for that, but one can make a new home."
"I don't understand you."
"I can't explain now. Countess Brinkenstein is coming. Meet me in the shrubbery behind the chapel, this evening when they're all at table, I've something good to tell you."
Walpurga had not time to reply. Baum saw Countess Brinkenstein approaching and, in a loud voice, gave the dairy inspector an order from the head cook, and then walked away quickly, respectfully saluting the countess as he passed.