"They are certainly good people," said Frida, with decision. "Dear Frida," said Axel, drawing himself up a little, "how you women jump at conclusions! Because these people have brought up a strange child, and--we will take it for granted that they have brought her up well--you--" and he was going on, in his shallow wisdom, which he called "knowledge of human nature,"--for it is an old story that those who have come into the world as blind as young puppies, and have only nine days' experience, are the very ones to pride themselves on their "knowledge of human nature; "--but, unfortunately for the world, he had no opportunity, for his Frida sprang up suddenly, crying,-- "See, Axel, see! A flag, and a triumphal arch! The people mean to give us a grand reception." And Degel, the coachman, looked round over his shoulder, with a grin of delight: "Yes, gracious lady. I was not to speak of it; but now you can see it for yourself, and it is a great pleasure. But I must drive slowly, or else the horses will be frightened." CHAPTER XV. And now they were come; and Habermann stepped up to the carriage, and spoke a few words, which sprang from his heart to his lips, and the clear eyes of the young wife shone on the white hair of the old man like a sunbeam, full of friendly warmth, and before Axel noticed,--for with his surprise and his interrupted discourse, he was not prepared for the occasion,--she reached out her hand to him, and with the grasp of the hand a friendship was settled, without a word, for each had looked into the eyes of the other, and had read there clearness, truth and confidence. And now Axel was ready with his hand, and Schoolmaster Strull came forward with his Asels, and struck up a song of "Thanksgiving for particular occasions," No. 545, out of the Mecklenburg Psalm-book, "After a heavy thunderstorm," beginning, like a sensible man, with the second verse, because it seemed to him particularly appropriate,-- "We praise Thy might, Oh Lord,"-- and Bräsig was trying to wave the flag, but Gust Kegel held it fast. "Let go of the string, you rascal!" cried Bräsig. "We know Thine anger's power," sung the schoolmaster. "Boy, let go the string out of your hand!" screamed Bräsig again. "Protect us by Thy grace In sorrow's gloomy hour,"-- sung the schoolmaster. "Boy, when I get hold of you, I'll break every bone in your body!" roared Bräsig. "They who rest within Thy arm, Shall be safe from every harm," sang the schoolmaster. "Herr, it sticks fast in the poplar," cried the boy, and Bräsig tugged at the flag, and brought down with it part of a branch, while the schoolmaster sung, "How it roars and crashes!"