"I--I am learning English words," declared Dagobert, the doctor, meanwhile, shaking his head suspiciously.
"English words, with such heart-breaking sighs? That is a remarkable way to learn."
"It was an English poem, that I was once more----Please, dear uncle, give it to me--those are my exercises!"
Like a bird of prey Dagobert swooped upon the table, clutching at the blue pamphlet, but too late, the doctor had already opened it and begun to turn over its leaves.
"Why so excited? You evidently need not be ashamed of your work and seem to have gotten tolerably far. Miss Friedberg, too, has given herself a great deal of trouble about you, and I hope you are grateful for it."
"Yes, indeed, she has given herself trouble--I have given myself trouble--we have given ourselves trouble," stammered Dagobert, who, manifestly did not know what he was saying, for his eyes were directed in agony to the hand of his uncle, who turned over one page after the other, while he dryly remarked:
"Well, if that is the way you are going to stammer out your thanks, she will not be greatly edified by them--yes, what is this, pray?"
He had stumbled upon a page laid loosely in, at the sight of which his unhappy nephew was ready to expire.
"'To Leonie!'" read Hagenbach aghast. "Here are verses!
"'Oh! be not angry if I fall