The two boys did not need urging, but followed their kind friend into the house. And even obstinate little Hans understood what bread and apple meant; when his sister put him down on his feet, he made no resistance, but, taking her hand, stumped along into the house without a word. Fred followed them, switching a willow wand, as if to suggest the most efficient method of teaching Hans to walk by himself. When they reached the dining-room, the boys opened their eyes wide to see the big loaf from which Mrs. Stein cut each a slice, and they were not slow in setting their teeth into the rosy apples, of which each had one for his own. Elsli too had an apple and a slice of bread. Elsli explained that she had come to get the clothes which Mrs. Stein had told her father to send for. “You cannot carry them, my child,” said Mrs. Stein, “it is enough for you to take the boys home. Tell your mother that I have something to say to her; and when she comes to see me, she can carry the clothes home.” “Don’t you care to eat the bread and apple, Elsli?” asked the aunt, noticing that the girl put the apple into her pocket, and held the bread in her hand. Elsli blushed, as if she were guilty of a breach of good manners, and said, timidly:-- “I should like to take them home to Fani; he will not get any supper to-night.” “It is very nice of you to take it to him,” said Mrs. Stein kindly, “but why will he not have his supper?” “We have done supper at home, and we ate up everything, all the sour milk and potatoes, for there was not a great deal; and father said those who are not there at supper-time are not hungry, and can go without. But I know that Fani is hungry, only he is busy about something, and forgets that it is time for supper.” “Where is he? Does he never help you with all these heavy children?” “No, he is never allowed to help with the children. Mother says he’s of no use; he only makes the children naughtier, and he’d better keep out of the way. So he does keep out of the way, and half the time doesn’t get any supper, and I can’t keep any for him. But he is always good and kind to me. When he does come home he writes my exercises for me; for I never can get time for my lessons, I am so busy all the evening, till mother comes and takes the lamp, and I go to bed.” “It’s Fani’s own fault if he doesn’t come home in time for supper,” said aunty. “And you never will learn anything, my child, if he always does your lessons for you.” Elsli turned very red, and her big blue eyes filled with tears. “I know it. I am the stupidest and most backward scholar in the whole school.” “No, you’re not stupid at all,” cried Fred eagerly. “It is only that you never know the things that we have to learn by heart. And, now that I know why, I should just like to catch any one laughing at you again! They’d better try it!”