"Ever so far away," answered the little fellow. "Wiesbaden is the name of the town. It is a very beautiful town, mamma says. And mamma has given me a lot of lovely new toys, and I am taking them all with me."
"And don't you feel frightened?" asked Leo.
"Mamma says, schoolboys are never frightened," answered Paul. "Boys must be brave. But poor mamma is dreadfully frightened herself. She cries and cries! Look here, won't you go to mamma, and tell her there is nothing to be frightened about?"
"I suppose you will be going at Michaelmas?" asked Leo, flabbergasted.
Paulchen laughed contemptuously. "No, indeed!" he said. "We are starting now. Papa and I, by this very train. Papa is gone to look after the big luggage, and I am waiting here for him."
Leo sprang up. Then she must be at the station too! Any minute she might come in at that door. The hideousness of the situation, which, in listening to the boy's pretty talk, he had almost forgotten, broke on him afresh.
He clutched at his cap. Like a thief, he must slink away by the side door.
"Are you going so soon, Uncle Leo?" the child asked anxiously.
"I must, Paulchen."
"And aren't you going to say good-bye to me?"