Martella had been sitting near by while the two had been carrying on their familiar conversation. In all likelihood, she had understood but little of what was said, for, while discussing the improvement of the whole world, they indulged themselves in vistas of the distant future. But Martella would look first at one and then at the other, and then at me, nodding approval each time. And afterward, when she and I were alone together, she said, "Father, your eyes told me how happy you were, and you must have thought just as I did; did you not? Ah, if Ernst only knew how his brothers are here talking with each other from their very hearts! Indeed, if he were here he would be the most sensible of all, for there is no one like Ernst." CHAPTER VII. Ludwig's servant entered and inquired whether he might accompany "madame" (meaning Johanna) to church. "You may go," replied Ludwig to the servant, who saluted in curt military style and left the room. Richard inquired where the man was from, for his pronunciation would prove him a North German. Ludwig replied, "Yes, he is a specimen of North German discipline and reliability. "Although he was willing to work at anything, he was almost perishing with want when I made his acquaintance. I took him into my service, and every order I gave was executed by him as implicitly as if he were obeying an imperative law of nature. "One evening I had an appointment to meet several persons at the town hall; I took him with me, and said to him, 'Willem, wait here for me.' "I entered and had a lengthy interview--forgot Willem, and left through another door. "The next morning I came back to the town hall, and there stood Willem. "'What are you doing there?' I asked. "'_Ik warte_.'[5] said he. "He had waited there all night, and would probably have waited the whole of that day, if I had not by chance come there. "After that, we always called him 'Ik-warte.'" We were so happy together. It was one of those moments that one wishes might be prolonged forever, and in which one dreads to move from his seat for fear of breaking the spell. Our happiness was, however, not to be of long duration. The locksmith's widow came, bringing her children with her. They brought a pot of fine honey, and fresh garlands of daisies and violets. Ludwig advised the children--they were two girls and a boy--above all things not to consider themselves Americans; for if Germans would work as they do in America, they could do just as well as the Americans. The widow said that she would like to have a talk with Ludwig alone, for she looked upon him as the guardian of her children. Ludwig promised to pay her a visit at an early day. She was about leaving when new guests arrived.