CHAP, viii.] THE STORK'S RETURN. 351 



the morsel of imsalted Rindfleisch that has been boiled 

 in it As to a savoury Gebraten, Calf's flesh, or Swine's 

 flesh, such as the English traveller calls for, that is quite 

 out of our way. Even the Ofen which warms the house 

 does not cheer the eyesight; for, you know, a German's 

 household fire is rather to be found in his pipe than on his 

 hearth. So we shall be dull and miserable (except at 

 a chance time in the Bierbrauerei) so long as the Storks 

 are away from Deutschland. 



But in spring ! News ! Good news in the village ! 

 This morning are the Storks returned ! Even in the 

 darkness of night they found the way to their old home. 

 See them walking before the house, taking a survey, 

 and looking kindly to know that we are well, before they 

 sail off to forage for awhile in the marshes. One is on 

 the house-top, glad that the winter has not blown away 

 all the sticks from her old nest on the cart-wheel. Now, 

 we poor bodies may rejoice for awhile, and eat our sorry 

 fare in cheerfulness. Winter is gone, and the Storks 

 are come ! The children may now gather flowers, and 

 play in the woods. We shall hear the Gross Herzog's 

 military band play under the lime trees ; and perhaps, 

 if we have a few kreuzers to spare, we may drink the 

 summer cup with a bunch of sweet herbs in it ; better 

 that than our ordinary water and vinegar. Ja wohl ! 

 The Cuckoo will sing ; the cherries will ripen ; only 

 think of the Kirschwasser to be made, and then the 

 harvest and the vintage will follow, all while the blessed 

 Storks are with us ! 



