"My mother herself, with you and Gustaf to help her; and Louis Rosekranz, perhaps," answered Philip. "We shall see about that. But you must allow, sister, that if we make this move, on which my mother's heart is set, it is better for me to go first." "Yes, 'if' we go. I wish we had never thought of going," said Greta, vehemently. "Why, Greta, you used to be the most earnest in the scheme of any of us. You used to accuse me of being a spoil-sport if I said a word against it, and you declared you would rather dwell in a cabin in the woods than live in a palace in the landgrave's dominions." "What signifies bringing up every idle word one ever spoke?" said Greta, pettishly. "I was a child, and did not know what I was talking about. But I see there is no use in talking, since you have mother on your side. Nobody cares what I think or feel about anything." The next day the matter was discussed in all its length and breadth in a grave family council, to which Uncle Franz and Louis Rosekranz were called. Uncle Franz growled a little, thought it better to let well alone, but on the whole did not offer as much opposition as had been expected. Louis Rosekranz was fired with enthusiasm at the very idea. He had been talking with the returned veterans, and had his head full of wonderful stories. Besides that, he had known a man who went to America with only his hands and tools, and now wrote back that he owned a hundred acres of land all his own. There were forests full of deer, bears, and wolves, rivers swarming with fish, and birds like the quails that the doctor read of from the Scripture. He would go with Philip himself, only that Uncle Franz needed him just now. His part should be to see that his aunt never wanted for anything which the most devoted son could give her while Philip was away. Greta tossed her head and murmured something about people's waiting till they were asked, but it was noticeable that she entirely withdrew her opposition to Philip's plans, and worked with great zeal to further his preparations. But unexpected delays occurred. The season was far advanced. A winter voyage was dangerous, and Brother Gotthold's directors decided that he had better wait till spring. Philip spent the winter in diligently studying English, and in carving for Herr von Falkenstein's cat such a basin and platter as drew forth the old gentleman's utmost approbation. It was not till April that Philip and his friend set sail, with every prospect of a prosperous voyage. It was in the middle of June, 1783, that Caspar Reinhart called at the office of Fussell & Edelman, on the wharf at Philadelphia. They were German merchants, and he had been directed to them as the persons most likely to tell him what he wished to know.