UNCLE TITUS AND HIS VISIT TO THE COUNTRY
A Story for Children and for Those Who Love Children
Translated from the German of
JOHANNA SPYRI
by
Louise Brooks
Boston De Wolfe, Fiske & Co 361 and 365 Washington Street
1886
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
I. UNDER THE LINDENS
II. LONG, LONG DAYS
III. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HEDGE
IV. ALL SIX
V. BEFORE AND AFTER THE FLOOD
VI. A FRIGHTFUL DEED
VII. LONG-WISHED-FOR HAPPINESS
VIII. MORE CHARADES AND THEIR ANSWERS
IX. "WHAT MUST BE, MUST BE"
CHAPTER I.
UNDER THE LINDENS.
The daily promenaders who moved slowly back and forth every afternoon under the shade of the lindens on the eastern side of the pretty town of Karlsruhe were very much interested in the appearance of two persons who had lately joined their ranks. It was beyond doubt that the man was very ill. He could only move slowly and it was touching to see the care with which his little companion tried to make herself useful to him. He supported himself with his right hand on a stout stick, and rested his left upon the shoulder of the child at his side, and one could see that he needed the assistance of both. From time to time he would lift his left hand and say gently,
"Tell me, my child, if I press too heavily upon you."
Instantly, however, the child would catch his hand and press it down again, assuring him,
"No, no, certainly not, Papa, lean upon me still more: I do not even notice it at all."
After they had walked back and forth for a while, they seated themselves upon one of the benches that were placed at convenient distances under the trees, and rested a little.
The sick man was Major Falk, who had been in Karlsruhe only a short time. He lived before that in Hamburg with his daughter Dora, whose mother died soon after the little girl came into the world, so that Dora had never known any parent but her father. Naturally, therefore, the child's whole affection was centred upon Major Falk, who had always devoted himself to his little motherless girl with such tenderness that she had scarcely felt the want of a mother, until the war with France broke out, and he was obliged to go with the Army. He was away for a long time, and when at last he returned, it was with a dangerous wound in his breast. The Major had no near relatives in Hamburg, and he therefore lived a very retired life with his little daughter as his only companion, but in Karlsruhe he had an elder half-sister, married to a literary man, Mr. Titus Ehrenreich.
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: Uncle Titus and His Visit to the Country by Spyri
- 2: Generally Aunt Ninette opened the door herself
- 3: My dear Ninette said her brother quietly
- 4: Dora sat by her father's bedside
- 5: Though not without some complainings from Aunt Ninette
- 6: And Dora was ambitious and willing to learn
- 7: Aunt Ninette spoke in whispers all the while
- 8: When at last Aunt Ninette returned to her husband
- 9: Aunt Ninette spoke very impressively
- 10: But Aunt Ninette assured him rather curtly
- 11: Tannenburg was certainly quiet enough
- 12: And he peacefully dozed again after each survey
- 13: For big Jule had strong muscles
- 14: Aunt Ninette returned to her room
- 15: Birkenfeld had just returned from a long journey
- 16: And Wili and Lili jumped about more than ever
- 17: And thank you very much for your charade
- 18: They raised their candles higher and higher
- 19: Ehrenreich became more composed
- 20: And Hunne slowly regained his equilibrium
- 21: Miss Hanenwinkel had been in England
- 22: So Rolf sat down on an ottoman to think it over at his ease
- 23: Cried little Hunne contemptuously
- 24: What nice thing has my little Hunne done to day
- 25: But to Paula she seemed very old indeed
- 26: Perhaps Lili is no longer living
- 27: Cried Wili and Lili triumphantly
- 28: And even Miss Hanenwinkel is too busy
- 29: Who can guess this excellent charade
- 30: Schnurri came growling at their call
- 31: Battiste was out on the barn floor
- 32: Pretty soon Schnurri grew restless
- 33: Hunne sat looking thoughtfully at the rescued party
- 34: This explanation satisfied Wili
- 35: Little Hunne kept a watchful eye on them
- 36: And little Hunne is acting like a mad man
- 37: ' repeated Aunt Ninette in a despairing tone
- 38: Then Wili repeated after his mother a short prayer
- 39: Birkenfeld was very much relieved
- 40: Ehrenreich would use that for his study
- 41: Little Hunne caught sight of her
- 42: And Hunne kept fast hold of her
- 43: And Hunne liked to do the same
- 44: Paula had not made any attempt to talk with Dora
- 45: And Dora hurried into the house
- 46: Birkenfeld stopped to speak to Aunt Ninette
- 47: If you prefer to go with Miss Hanenwinkel
- 48: Rolf returned his greeting very cordially
- 49: Now Rolf fulfilled these conditions
- 50: So Rolf worked away by himself
- 51: One day Dora made a new riddle for Hunne
- 52: Birkenfeld sat together upon the sofa
- 53: Poor Hunne was quite depressed at this unexpected blow
- 54: The album had belonged to Dora's mother
- 55: Birkenfeld over and over again
- 56: Aunt Ninette was standing at an open window
