“Oh, dear madam,” cried the old person, “don’t you know yet? There are great goings-on in the church to-day. The whole village is making wreaths; over the altar they have hung a whole garland of rare tea-roses, and on each side the most beautiful oleander trees are placed.”
“Why, what’s the matter?”
“A wedding is the matter! Miss Douglas’s wedding will be to-morrow!”
The two sisters started, exchanged a quick glance with each other, and then looked at Paul.
But he was rolling a crumb of bread between his fingers, and looked as if the story did not concern him in the least.
The sisters exchanged another glance and nodded significantly. Then, with the same impulse, they both seized his hands.
“Children, you tear me to pieces,” he said, with a feeble smile.
“Ah, then there will be polterabend there today?” asked their father, growing quite lively all of a sudden.
“Probably, probably!” answered the old housekeeper. “Not long ago I saw a troop of children go by quite laden with old flower-pots and rubbish.”
“At our wedding they showed more moderation,” said Greta, and both sisters looked at each other and smiled dreamily.