" 'That must have been Professor Bhaer; he 's always doing
things of that sort.'

"Mrs. K. told me he was from Berlin; very learned and good,
but poor as a church-mouse, and gives lessons to support himself
and two little orphan nephews whom he is educating here,
according to the wishes of his sister, who married an American.
Not a very romantic story, but it interested me; and I was glad
to hear that Mrs. K. lends him her parlor for some of his
scholars. There is a glass door between it and the nursery, and
I mean to peep at him, and then I'll tell you how he looks.
He's almost forty, so it's no harm, Marmee.

"After tea and a go-to-bed romp with the little girls, I
attacked the big work-basket, and had a quiet evening with my
new friend. I shall keep a journal-letter, and send it once a
week; so good-night, and more to-morrow."

"Tuesday Eve.

"Had a lively time in my seminary, this morning, for the
children acted like Sancho; and at one time I really thought I
should shake them all round. Some good angel inspired me to
try gymnastics, and I kept it up till they were glad to sit down
and keep still. After luncheon, the girl took them out for a
walk, and I went to my needlework, like little Mabel, 'with a
willing mind.' I was thanking my stars that I 'd learned to
make nice button-holes, when the parlor-door opened and shut,
and some one began to hum, --

'Kennst du das Land,'

like a big bumble-bee. It was dreadfully improper, I know, but
I could n't resist the temptation; and lifting one end of the
curtain before the glass door, I peeped in. Professor Bhaer
was there; and while he arranged his books, I took a good look
at him. A regular German, -- rather stout, with brown hair
tumbled all over his head, a bushy beard, good nose, the kindest
eyes I ever saw, and a splendid big voice that does one's ears
good, after our sharp or slipshod American gabble. His clothes
were rusty, his hands were large, and he had n't a really hand-

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