Paul drew in his breath. The longer he remained in his hiding place the more dejected he felt, at last he appeared to himself like a school boy who hides to escape his master’s punishment. The smell of the weeds became more intense and more unbearable, an unpleasant moisture came up from the damp ground, like a pale fog it rose before his eyes Steel blue clouds rolled up in the sky, the thunder began to resound afar. “That’s what they call pleasure,” thought Paul. There was a rustling in the branches. Heavy drops came splashing down on the leaves, then Paul crept out of his hiding place like a criminal. Shouts of laughter--welcomed him from the veranda. “There comes August” one of the gentlemen called out, softly. He had been in Berlin and had seen the circus there, and the others joined him. “My honored guests,’ cried Leo, climbing on a chair,” this pattern boy, called Paul Meyerhofer, has in the most inconsiderate manner withdrawn from the verdict of the assembly. As he foresaw, in his feeling of unworthiness, that most of the refusals would be gathered upon his undignified head, he has in most reprehensible cowardice--” “I don’t know why you speak so badly of me,” said Paul, hurt, for he took everything seriously. A fresh peal of laughter answered him “I make the proposition to confer the nightcap on him as a punishment for his crime, and to form a jury for this purpose.” “If you please, I’ll take the cap without that,” Paul answered, irritated. By this time he had only to open his mouth to call forth fresh mirth. Solemnly he was crowned with the nightcap. “I must look very funny, after all,’ he thought, for they were all dying with laughter. Only his sisters did not laugh, blushing deeply, they looked down in their laps, and Elsbeth looked it him with embarrassment, as if she wanted to ask his pardon. “August,” was again softly whispered from the circle of gentlemen. Immediately after, the thunder storm broke forth In troops they all took refuge in the house. The young ladies turned pale, most of them were afraid of the thunder, one even fainted. Leo proposed they should form a circle, and that each of them should tell a story, he who did not know any had to give a forfeit. They agreed to this. The order of precedence was appointed by lot, and one of the gentlemen made the beginning with a merry student’s anecdote, which he declared he had experienced himself. Then it was the turn of some young girls, who preferred to pay forfeits, and then he himself was called out. The gentlemen cleared their throats mockingly, and the girls nudged each other and giggled. Then anger overpowered him, and, knitting his brow, he began at random, “Once upon a time there was some one who was so ridiculous that people had only to look at him when they wanted to laugh to their hearts content. He himself did not know how this was, for he had never laughed in his life.”