Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/239

 "The very same bad shilling come again," laughed the big brother, catching Thekla in his arms and almost squeezing her to death with a hug. "But why do you look so astonished? Didn't Grandfather get my letter? And where is the Grandfather?" beginning to collect himself. But then he caught the look on Max's face, and saying "Ah!" he suddenly turned very pale, and releasing Thekla sat down in the nearest chair.

"When?" he asked at length, raising his face from the hands with which he had hidden it.

"A month ago," said Max; but Thekla, putting her arm round on the new brother's arm, added softly, in the very words of December, "Don't be so sorry, dear Fritz. He has gone where he is young again."

Late into the night did they all sit over the fire, while Fritz told the story of his seven long years of absence. It seemed to the children very exciting; for Fritz had twice been shipwrecked, had seen a buffalo, and only just escaped being killed by an Indian! He had