CHAPTER XXVIII.
FRÄULEIN’S GYMNASTICS.
“Fräulein, can you have prayers for the young ladies in the small reception-room on Christmas morning?” Miss Ashton asked with much hesitation the day before leaving.
“Ja! Ja!” answered the Fräulein, all smiles and nods.
“Very well, then, I will give the notice to-night. As Christmas is a religious festival, I shall be glad to have a religious as well as a festival observation of it. As for the matter of going to church, the young-ladies can do as they please; there need be nothing compulsory about it.”
“I mistand,” and the Fräulein congratulated herself on her correct English. “All wrong; nein! nein, all.”
“Right,” said Miss Ashton, laughing.
“Oui, Ja! Der Dank! Tanks. I learn Anglais soon. Patientia, Fräulein Ashton. I learn soon, by un by.”
In compliance with this request, after a hasty Christmas breakfast, the girls assembled in the reception-room, and waited with more curiosity than devotion the coming of the Fräulein. 192
She had not been down to breakfast, and when she made her appearance now, it was as if an odd-shaped swan was waddling into the room. From head to foot she was dressed in a fluffy white stuff, that stood out all over her like snow-feathers.