"I looked at Anna Maria in alarm, but her face was turned away, and only in her trembling white hands, which she had clasped, did I detect the agitation wrought in her by this song. Who had thought of such a song? And Stürmer? He had sprung up and stood close by Susanna.
"'Another song, Fräulein,' he demanded, almost vehemently, 'a different one. You are much too young for such melancholy!'
"'A German knows no different songs, Herr Baron,' objected Pastor Grüne. 'Old national songs are sad, usually the lament for a faithless love, for a dead treasure. Let our nation be as it is in this. I would rather have one little German national song than a dozen French chansons.'
"Stürmer did not answer, and there was a painful silence.
"'Another song?' asked Susanna at last—'a lively one?'
"'Yes!' cried Klaus, 'a lively one, a hunting-song, Susanna, or a drinking-song! 'He had risen in embarrassment at the critical situation, and filled his glass afresh.
"And Susanna began, in a merry strain:
"'In the early morn
A-hunting I went,
Past my darling's house
My steps I bent.
"'Up to the window
A glance I threw.
Ah! if she would look down,
Good luck would ensue.
"'In vain, she's still dreaming;
But something stirred.
By the apple-tree yonder
A laugh was heard.