The breakfast received a very slight share of attention. The boys were constantly running below to “see after the horses,” and Nettie was dancing about, in everybody’s way, assuring them all that they would certainly lose the train, and begging Adele, for her own safety, to keep close to her, and not to be nervous on any account.
“I know somebody will forget something!” she exclaimed for the fiftieth time. “Be sure, all of you, to remember.”
“Not to forget,” interrupted Eric, mischievously.
“The carriage has come to the door, Herr Von Nichols!” Gretchen announced, through her tears.
All the Werniers, the ancient holders of the castle, had been Herr Vons; and as Mrs. Nichols was a Wernier, Gretchen had adopted the villagers’ fashion of bestowing the title upon the husband.
The servants were in the hall, sorrowfully awaiting the departure of their kind patrons.
“Good by! Good by!” the children shouted; while the mournful group bade them “God speed.”
“Who’s forgotten anything?” said Nettie, crowding into a corner of the carriage.
“I think you have, my dear,” answered her mother. “Where is your sacque?”
Nettie looked quite dismayed.