"Why, you must be mad, sir," she cried.

"How funny it is to hear you call me 'Sir,' Aunt Bertha!" said in reply thelaughing voice of a boy at her back.

"Well, do let me at least open my eyes, Richard," exclaimed Bertha, trying toremove the boy's hands from her face. "Have you come from home!" sheadded, turning round towards him.

"Yes, Aunt, and here's the very quite recentspaper which I have brought you."

Bertha took the paper which he handed to her and began to read it.

Klingemann, meanwhile, rose to his feet and turned to Richard.