Yolanda's delight knew no bounds.
She sprang from her chair, exclaiming:-- "Catch them! Catch them!" and led the way.
She climbed on chairs, tables, and window shelves, and soon had her hands full of the demure little songsters.

Max, too, was pursuing the wrens, and Twonette, losing part of her serenity, actually caught a bird.

The sport was infectious, and soon fat old Castleman was puffing like a tired porpoise, and sedate old Karl de Pitti was in the chase.
Frau Katherine grabbed desperately at a bird now and then, but she was too stout to catch one and soon took her chair, laughing and out of breath.

Yolanda screamed with laughter, and after she had caught six or seven birds and put them in the cage provided for them, she asked Max to lift her in his arms that she might reach one resting on a beam near the ceiling.

Max gladly complied, and Yolanda, having caught the bird, said:-- "Now, Sir Max, open your mouth." "I have already swallowed one," said Max, laughing, "and I will swallow none other so long as I live." As Max lowered her to the floor her arm fell about his neck for an instant, and the great strong boy trembled at the touch of this weak girl.
Out to the garden we went again after supper, and when dusk began to fall, Yolanda led Max to a rustic seat in the deep shadow of the vines.
I could not hear their words, but I learned afterward of the conversation.
When I thought Yolanda was the princess, I was joyful because of the marked favor that she showed Max.