"I'll write wherever you want me to, but I can't do it well."
Walpurga seated herself and wrote:
"If your noble father will allow it, I shall be heartily glad when my dear Countess Irma is here again. My heart longs for her.
"Walpurga Andermatten."
The king, having read it, said: "Write also--'it will do me and the prince much good to have you here again. You make us both happier'."
"Dear king," said Walpurga, "how clever you are. What you say is quite true. Now be so kind as to dictate it to me. I can't put it into such good words, but I can write quite well from dictation. I learned it from Mademoiselle Kramer. I used to know how at school, but forgot it afterward."
"No," replied the king, "write as your feelings prompt you. Ladies and gentlemen, let us leave Walpurga alone, and go to the veranda."
Walpurga was sitting alone, in the great breakfast-room, biting the end of her pen and vainly endeavoring to remember the king's words. Suddenly she heard a slight noise near her and, looking up, saw Baum who was standing in the doorway.
"Come here," she exclaimed, "you can help me, for you must have heard it all."
"Certainly," replied Baum and dictated the king's words to Walpurga. She went out and handed the letter to the king.