The Hedgehogs' Coffee Party.
A Story of Thuringia.
CHAPTER I.
It was winter time, and the Thuringia-Wald lay still and white under its snowy covering.
The fir trees waved their branches in the frosty air, and a clear moon had risen over the mountains.
All was quiet and deserted, except that a faint sound of music and singing floated on the wind, coming undoubtedly from the comfortable burrow of the Hedgehog family, who lived under one of the largest pine stumps.
Councillor Igel—for the father was a member of the Hedgehog Government—had consented to allow the young people to have one or two friends to coffee, and they had been dancing with the greatest spirit for the last half hour.
By the porcelain stove stood the Councillor's only brother, Uncle Columbus, who had devoted himself since childhood to learned pursuits, and was much respected by the rest of the family.