“You look like a fairy queen, Freddie!” said Otto smiling; “fit to——”
“To be blown away, eh? But, Tilly, aren’t you finished yet with those laces?”
“Well, Freddie, you won’t stand still for one minute.”
At last Tilly was ready, every one was ready, and Madame van Erlevoort went down-stairs, as the carriage had just arrived.
“Now, children, stop in bed, and don’t run about in the cold,” cried Mathilde commandingly, while Frédérique, with Martha’s help, wrapped her sortie about her, Otto took charge of a fan, and Etienne of a glove.
“Come, Freddie, mamma has gone down-stairs long ago,” said Otto, and he beat the fan impatiently on his hand.
“Freddie, haven’t you forgotten anything?” asked Mathilde.
“I say, where is your other glove, Freddie, or are you only going to wear one?” cried Etienne as loud as he could, to make himself heard above the noise and the din the children were making in the bed.
“Oh! how you are worrying me, all of you!—I have already got it half on, my second glove! Martha, my handkerchief! Thanks; everything right? Yes? Well, good-bye, you pets!”
“Freddie, you have forgotten something!” cried Etienne.