"No, you bet I won't! you're nothing but girls."
"Is it a surprise, Max?" Hannah suggested, anxiously.
"Won't tell yer," contemplating his brass-tipped toes.
"Maxy, I'll give you a big cookey if you'll tell."
"You nasty thing, I don't want a cookey."
"Maxy: two? three—four—five—six—there! now you'll tell?"
"Give 'em first," said this practical boy, apparently conquered.
Six noble cookies were counted into his hand.
"Now I won't tell yer at all. It's a surprise! Father said I wasn't to tell," he cried, scornfully, with his mouth full.
"Oh, Haneke, papa's going to surprise us! Now I know what it is!" Liseke whispered excitedly "It is a piano, and perhaps—perhaps a stool. Try and find out from Max."