"You are a maiden," said the little boy with civil superiority; "your brothers learn more hours."
"More; yes, but not so many as you do. They play from twelve till half-past two, and have two half-holidays in the week."
"So, you are not industrious. We are. That is the reason why we can all act together, and think together, so much better than any others; and we all stand as one irresistible power, the United Germany."
Lucy gave a little gasp! it was all so very wise.
"May I see your sisters?" she said.
The little sisters, Gretchens and Kätchens were learning away almost as hard as the Hermanns and Fritzes, but the bigger sisters had what Lucy thought a better time of it. One of them was helping in the kitchen, and another in the ironing; but then they had their books and their music, and in the evening all the families came out into the pleasure gardens, and had little tables with coffee before them, and the mammas knitted, and the papas smoked, and the young ladies listened to the band. On the whole, Lucy thought she should not mind living in Germany, if they would not do so many lessons.