Quite a commotion followed this announcement. Mrs. Ritter dropped the spoon with which she was serving, and saying hastily, "Excuse me, please," left the room.
Otto and Miezi immediately pushed back their chairs to go also, but Uncle Max held Miezi fast. Otto stumbled over something in his haste, and Miezi struggled hard to free herself. "Do let me go, Uncle Max! Let me go!" she cried.
"Why do you want to go, Miezchen?"
"To see Joiner Andreas. Let me go. Help me, papa."
"Tell me why you want to see Joiner Andreas, and I will let you go."
"My sheep has but two legs left and no tail, and only Joiner Andreas knows how to fix it. Now let me go."
Miezi's papa and Uncle Max laughed as she ran from the room.
"Who is this man that has the whole household at his command?" inquired Uncle Max.
"You ought to know better than I," answered Colonel Ritter. "Very likely he is an old playmate of yours. I am sure you would enjoy knowing him. Your sister makes us all love him. He is really the corner stone of this household, without whom things generally would go to rack and ruin. It doesn't matter what happens, for 'Joiner Andreas will fix it.' In fact he is helper, adviser, comforter, and friend, all in one."