So you see
that this man is really the very pillar of my edifice; and if any thing
should happen to him, we should straightway go to pieces."
Mrs. Ritter had returned to the room during this account of Andrew the
carpenter's virtues, and her husband had heightened the description for
her benefit. Uncle Max shouted with laughter.
"Yes, laugh away; laugh away!" said she. "For all that, I know very well
what a treasure I possess in Andrew the carpenter."
"So do I, for that matter," said her husband, laughing merrily.
"I do, too," said Pussy, heartily, who was again on her seat at
table.
"So do I," grumbled Otto, while he rubbed his shins, that ached from his
recent fall over the chair.
"Well, now we are all of one mind about it, and the children can go
quietly to bed," said their mother. These words did not tend to restore
quiet, for the children became rebellious; but it was useless. Old Trine
stood on the threshold, and was ready to carry out the family rules and
regulations. Off marched the children, and presently their mother also
disappeared again; for there were the evening prayers to be said, and
she never failed to be at their bedside for that.
When, at last, every thing was in order in the house, Mrs. Ritter joined
the gentlemen once more.
"At last!" said the colonel, with a sigh of relief, as if he had
vanquished the enemy.
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