"Pretty state of affairs! A man comes from Hamburg, travelling all night, and hardly is he out of the train when some one comes: 'Mr. Baumhagen, did you know there had been a great fire in Niendorf?' Tired as a dog as I was, I must needs get into a carriage and drive out here--a man can't sleep after such a piece of news as that. For mercy's sake, you are smiling as if it was Christmas eve!"
"All the crops are burnt," announced Adelaide in as joyful a tone as if she had said, "We have won a great prize."
"The poor fellow has ill-luck," muttered Uncle Henry. "Has some one gone over to--" He would not speak her name--"to--well, to 'Waldruhe?' Or has the announcement of the joyful news been left for me again?"
"No one has been there," replied Adelaide, mischievously.
Uncle Henry looked at her more sharply.
"Well, what's up then, you witch? Something has happened."
"I am engaged," burst out the happy little bride. Thank Heaven, that she could tell it at last.
"You unhappy child!" cried Uncle Henry, by way of congratulation. But she ran laughing away into the house.
"Breakfast is ready!" she cried from the terrace. "Coffee, tea, ham and eggs."
The old gentleman, who was going out to view the wreck, turned sharply round and followed her.