"Well, it won't do her any harm if she does see you in a short jacket. Come along!" All sudden surprises, even pleasant ones, are painful. When joy sounds in our ears, as if, all at once two dozen trumpets had been blown close behind us, we feel as if our head and heart were split, and the most beautiful music becomes mere pain. No! I love joy when it comes like a singing bird in a cool wood, coming nearer and nearer from twig to twig, till at last it sings its song full in my ears from the nearest bush. Joy had come to my mother rather too hastily at first; but she had got over the shock. Now it came to her from twig to twig; and, as my father entered the room, it sang its song full in her ears; the bird had come to her at last in a short jacket, and it seemed as if it were making all manner of bobbings to her out of the bush; she laughed with all her heart. The memory of this day was preserved amongst us down to the latest times, and whenever my father happened to return home from his work and cares in a particularly happy mood, we used to say: "father has got his short jacket on to-day." When the first burst of happiness was somewhat over, the old Herr began: "And so you have brought the French Chasseur along with you, my friend?" "Not _I_," said my father; "the Miller's Friedrich has done the greater part of the business; the Gülzow Bailiff helped him." "This Friedrich must be a clever determined fellow," said the Amtshauptmann. "Eh, what say you? Let us have him in." Friedrich came and the Bailiff too. "Was it you, Friedrich, who threw the Frenchman out of the waggon?" Friedrich thought to himself--"What? Is another court of justice going to be held?" And since he must needs answer the Amtshauptmann's question with a "_yes_," he planted himself firmly, with one leg advanced, and stood ready prepared for whatever might come: "Yes, Herr Amtshauptmann," said he. "And are you aware that you have brought the Miller into great trouble?" "Trouble? He's pretty well used to troubles, and one more won't hurt him." "Was it you who took the valise from the Frenchman's horse?" "Yes, Herr." "And did you not take eight groschen of the Frenchman's property?" "I only paid myself back eight groschen of my own," said Friedrich and he told them the story. "You took them contrary to law and right, and what is he called who does that?" Friedrich looked boldly at the old Herr, but said not a word. "Bailiff Besserdich, what is such a man called?" "By your leave, Herr Amtshauptmann, a thief!" the Bailiff broke out. "And he is one. Herr, it was only to-day he stole one of Bullfinch's sausages off the smoking-stick,--and the fellow wants to marry my Hanchen!" "What does he want to do?" "My Hanchen, Herr, who is in your service, he wants to marry her." "Oh! ho!" said the Herr Amtshauptmann, and he looked at Friedrich from top to toe; "that's quite another thing.--You can go out now, my son, but I shall remember you."