He wished to propose a health, it was evident, for he looked at the principal, held up his glass, and his lips moved.

At last he sat down again, speechless.

Straightway, to the amazement of all, Fink rose, and said, with deep earnestness, "Join me in drinking to the prosperity of a German house where work is a pleasure, and honor has its home.
Hurrah for our counting-house and our principal!" Thundering hurrahs followed, in which Sabine could not help joining.

The rest of the evening was unbroken hilarity, and it was long past ten when they reached the town.
As they went up stairs, Fink said to Anton, "To-day, my boy, you are not to pass me by.

I have found it a great bore to be so long without you;" and the reconciled friends sat together far into the night.
Sabine went to her own room, where her maid gave her a note in an unknown handwriting.