'My aunt is with the Lilienhöhe.'
'I am grieved not to have the pleasure,' murmured Madame Brancka, indifferently, letting Ottilie glide from her lap.
'Give back the necklace, liebling,' said Wanda, as she unclasped it.
'No, no; I entreat you—let her keep it. It is leagues too large, but she likes it, and when she grows up she will wear it and think of me.'
'Pray take it,' said Wanda, lifting it from the child's little breast. 'You are too kind; but they must not be given what they admire. It teaches them bad habits.'
'What severe rules!' cried Madame Brancka. 'Are these poor babies brought up on S. Chrysostom and S. Basil? Is Lili already doomed to the cloister? You are too austere; you should have been an abbess instead of having all these golden-curled cupidons about you. Where is the youngest one, Egon's namesake?'
'He is in his cot,' said Gela, who was always very direct in his replies, and who found himself addressed by her.
Meantime Bela took hold of his mother's hand and whispered to her, 'Mütterchen, she is rude to you. Send her away.'
'My darling,' answered Wanda, 'when people laugh in our own house we must let them do it, even if it be at ourselves. And, Bela, to whisper is very rude.'
'Egon is so little,' continued Gela, plaintively. 'He cannot read; I do not think he ever will read!'