324 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



had at first only hinted her desire, but when day after 

 day passed and no sitting was spoken of, she herself 

 proposed boldly, and with somewhat of offended pride, 

 that Mr. Haag should paint her portrait, which he, to 

 please her, good-humouredly promised to do. 



And what a momentous affair was that sitting to her ! 

 the first and probably the last time. There she sat, stiff 

 and immovable, full of her dignity, and a pleased smile 

 of triumph on her face, " calling up a look " befitting 

 the occasion. She would not have turned her head let 

 happen what might, for a sitting was an important 

 matter; and whenever the flax on the distaff got entangled 

 she dared not change her position or even cast down 

 her eyes, but called to one of the children to do it for 

 her. The full blaze of the fire fell on her face, the ex- 

 pression of which was the very drollest in the world. 

 Opposite sat her daughter, gazing alternately at her 

 mother and Mr. Haag, while over the shoulder of the 

 latter one of the bare-legged boys was peeping, watching 

 the growing picture and comparing it with the original. 

 It was a delightful group. Presently a loud knocking 

 was heard without, the door flies open, and in bursts a 

 whole troop of youths, singing, shouting, dancing ; they 

 offer no greeting, they say nothing in fact, but, with cap 

 on head, continue their wild song, and dance round, 

 snapping their fingers as they still pour in. " Hush, no 

 dancing ! leave off, I say ! Hans, don't stamp so !" cried 

 Pepi, who was now no more master in his own house 

 than he was over the elements. A wild shout and a 

 louder song was the reply. The first ebullition of mirth 

 over, they stood round the cithern-player, and talked 

 and sang : I all the while remained sitting where I was, 

 heartily enjoying the scene. Presently one of the merry 

 troop came up to me and looking at me from head to 



