"What flowers?" said he, impatiently.
"Why," she said, with a look of astonishment, "have you forgotten already? The flowers you always send for my birthday morning."
But instantly she changed her tone.
"Ah! I see. Good little children must not ask where the fairy gifts come from. There, I will not disturb you, papa."
She touched his shoulder caressingly as she passed.
"But thank you again, papa Santa Claus."
At breakfast, Ferdinand Lind seemed to have entirely recovered his good-humor.
"I had forgotten for the moment it was your birthday, Natalie," said he. "You are quite a grown woman now."
Nothing, however, was said about the flowers, though the beautiful basket stood on a side-table, filling the room with its perfume. After breakfast, Mr. Lind left for his office, his daughter setting about her domestic duties.
At twelve o'clock she was ready to go out for her accustomed morning walk. The pretty little Anneli, her companion on these excursions, was also ready; and together they set forth. They chatted frankly together in German—the