This was a sensible question, and Fred could not help seeing the importance of it; but he was not to be deterred by a slight obstacle. He looked again at his lists.
"Suppose I should draw a figure of each creature against its name!" he said to himself. "I will come to see you to-morrow morning, before you go away," he said to Elsli, and was off.
Little Rikli, whose lesson had been learned at such a severe cost, was quite cured of her foolish screaming whenever Fred came near her with his dear little insects; but she watched his every motion, lest his fist or his pockets should disgorge some green-eyed frog or other equally unpleasant treasure. Her big brother had, however, a great fascination for the child, who followed him everywhere like his shadow. She now came nearer to Elsli, and said, entreatingly:—
"Don't send the nasty things alive, will you, Elsli, dear? You'll stuff them first, won't you?"
Just then, who should make his appearance but Feklitus, in his very best Sunday suit, and at the same moment Marget's voice was heard from the cottage, calling in a tone loud enough to sound above Hans' screams:—
"Elsli, where are you? It's strange that you can't stay in the house two minutes at a time to-day."
Rikli ran away; but Feklitus seized Elsli by the arm and held her fast.
"I want to go to see the lady at Oak-ridge," he said, roughly. "I am your cousin, and I want to tell her so, and that some time or other we mean to come and visit you down there by the Rhine; but I'm not going alone, and you've just got to come with me."
"Let me alone; don't you hear that I am wanted in the house!" And Elsli tried to free herself from his hold.
"You shall come," said the boy; and he grasped Elsli still more firmly, and dragged her away with him.