"'And then,' he prattled, 'mamma set herself to look for somebody very new and great; and she picked up Monsieur Milans-André, who is a very young master, only nineteen years old; and mamma says he is a great genius. Now, as for me, dear master, I don't know what a great genius is; but if Monsieur André be one, thou art not one, nor I.'
"Oh, the haughty one! still prattling on,—
"'I did take pains, and put myself back, that he might show me over again what you, dear master, had taught me, so that I never forget, and could not forget, if I tried; and in a year I told mamma I would never touch the harpsichord again if she did not promise I should come back to you again. She said she couldn't promise, and, master, I never did again touch the harpsichord, but instead, I learned what was better, to play on Monsieur André's grand pianoforte!'
"'And how didst thou admire that, eh?' I asked, rather curious about the matter.
"'Oh! it is very comfortable; I feel quite clear about it, and have written for it some things. But Monsieur André is to go a tour, so he told mamma yesterday, and this morning before he came I ran away, and I am returned to you, and have brought my tree to keep my birthday with you. And, master mine, I won't go back again!'
"Before I could answer him, as I expected, comes a pull at the bell to draw the house down, and up the stairs creaks Rathsherr Seraphael, the father, a mighty good looking and very grand man. He takes a seat, and looks queer and awful. But the little one, quitting me, dances round and round his chair and kisses away that frown.
"'Dear and beautiful papa, thou must give me leave to stay I am thine only son!'
"'Thou art indeed, and hast never before disobeyed me. Why didst thou run away, my Adonais?'
"'Papa, he can only teach me; I will not leave him, for I must obey music before you, and in him music calls me.'
"He ran back to my knee, and there his father left him (but very disconcerted), and I don't know how they settled it at home. But enough for me, there was never any more difficulty, and he and I kept his birthday together; the little candles burned out among the linden-flowers, and beautiful presents came for him and for me from the great house on the ramparts.