Then the governess was told that all children had to be ready, i. e. dressed in their best, by 5:30.

Then came the inspection of the drawing, living and dining rooms.

In the drawing room there was not a speck of dust to be seen on the treasured china birds which stood on the marble topped stove. The piano was shining the same as the woodwork on the sofa and chairs. Fortunately just a few days before the crystal pendants on the chandeliers had been taken down and washed in ammonia water. The white lace curtains also had been cleaned only a short time ago so they would show off the oriental rugs at their best.

The beautiful cabinet and credentials in the dining room, made of oak to last forever, were spotless. There was no problem seating 11 persons, the dining room could easily hold twice as many guests.

The living room needed no inspection. Here mother spent many hours at her roll top desk, making out memos, writing letters, trying to make a budget, keeping track of income and expense and much other paper work. She just made sure that the flowers in the white china cage pot were fresh. She had given up long ago on father ever setting the four antique clocks so that they would show the correct time. If questioned father would always say: "If anyone is as old as these clocks he will not go right either. "

At 5:30 mother felt greatly satisfied. Everything was ready and in perfect order. There was no last minute rush and everything had gone according to schedule.

When Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson and their 17 years old daughter arrived they were not immediately at ease. They had been in strange surroundings where they could not understand the language. However mother knew how to make them be at their ease by speaking their language and showing great interest in their trip. By the time dinner was served, they felt quite at home.

At 6:00 dinner is served. Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson and their daughter Inge are the guests. Besides mother and father, grandmother with a black velvet band around her throat represent the older people. The four children are Lia, 10 years old, Inge 8, Anne is 6 and Fred 4 years old.

Inge soon lost her shyness and pointing to a horn on top of the grandfather clock asked what it was. ''This came from your country" father explained with a smile, "I call it the pleite horn because a brewer gave it to me as a friendly gesture when his brewery was declared bankrupt. We lost a lot of money through him."

After everybody had enjoyed the roast pork and the dumplings, there was a short pause in the conversation. Father cleared his throat and raising his glass, made a speech:

First he welcomed the guests again. Then he recalled his long and pleasant relations with the Gustafson family. He related how he had visited them in their home as a very young man. He made the long trip from Nuremberg via Sassnitz where he crossed the channel by steamer. Then he took the railroad and in some town he had to change to a horse drawn sled. It was so cold he had to rent a bearskin fur blanket. Of course later the railroad had taken him directly to the Gustafsons. He cited an old saying: "The road is never too long to see old friends." But sled or railroad it was always a great pleasure to visit with the Gustafson family. They always welcomed him with wonderful food and drinks, first the parents and now Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson, the children. Father made it so dramatic, everyone forgot that this was a business trip and father always got a large order. He dwelt a long time on what wonderful people Mr. Gustafson's parents had been, how Mr. Gustafson always kept his word, how beloved he was by everyone and how his son was following in his footsteps.