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even introduced him to a singularly artistic…looking man of middle
age； wearing an order in his buttonhole； whom he met casually in
the hall。
〃Our Court photographer；〃 explained the landlord with some fervor；
〃at whose studio； only a few houses distant； most of the Hoheiten
and Prinzessinen of Germany have sat for their likenesses。〃
〃I should feel honored if the distinguished American Herr would
give me a visit；〃 said the stranger gravely； as he gazed at Hoffman
with an intensity which recalled the previous scrutiny of the
Police Inspector； 〃and I would be charmed if he would avail himself
of my poor skill to transmit his picturesque features to my unique
collection。〃
Hoffman returned a polite evasion to this invitation； although he
was conscious of being struck with this second examination of his
face； and the allusion to his personality。
The next morning the porter met him with a mysterious air。 The
Herr would still like to see the Schloss？ Hoffman； who had quite
forgotten his adventure in the park； looked vacant。 JA WOHLthe
Hof authorities had no doubt heard of his visit and had intimated
to the hotel proprietor that he might have permission to visit the
model farm and dairy。 As the American still looked indifferent the
porter pointed out with some importance that it was a Ducal
courtesy not to be lightly treated； that few； indeed； of the
burghers themselves had ever been admitted to this eccentric whim
of the late Grand Duchess。 He would； of course； be silent about
it； the Court would not like it known that they had made an
exception to their rules in favor of a foreigner； he would enter
quickly and boldly alone。 There would be a housekeeper or a
dairymaid to show him over the place。
More amused at this important mystery over what he； as an American；
was inclined to classify as a 〃free pass〃 to a somewhat heavy 〃side
show；〃 he gravely accepted the permission； and the next morning
after breakfast set out to visit the model farm and dairy。
Dismissing his driver； as he had been instructed； Hoffman entered
the gateway with a mingling of expectancy and a certain amusement
over the 〃boldness〃 which the porter had suggested should
characterize his entrance。 Before him was a beautifully kept lane
bordered by arbored and trellised roses； which seemed to sink into
the distance。 He was instinctively following it when he became
aware that he was mysteriously accompanied by a man in the livery
of a chasseur； who was walking among the trees almost abreast of
him； keeping pace with his step； and after the first introductory
military salute preserving a ceremonious silence。 There was
something so ludicrous in this solemn procession toward a peaceful；
rural industry that by the time they had reached the bottom of the
lane the American had quite recovered his good humor。 But here a
new astonishment awaited him。 Nestling before him in a green
amphitheater lay a little wooden farm…yard and outbuildings； which
irresistibly suggested that it had been recently unpacked and set
up from a box of Nuremberg toys。 The symmetrical trees； the
galleried houses with preternaturally glazed windows； even the
spotty； disproportionately sized cows in the white…fenced barnyards
were all unreal； wooden and toylike。
Crossing a miniature bridge over a little stream； from which he was
quite prepared to hook metallic fish with a magnet their own size；
he looked about him for some real being to dispel the illusion。
The mysterious chasseur had disappeared。 But under the arch of an
arbor； which seemed to be composed of silk ribbons； green glass；
and pink tissue paper； stood a quaint but delightful figure。
At first it seemed as if he had only dispelled one illusion for
another。 For the figure before him might have been made of Dresden
chinaso daintily delicate and unique it was in color and
arrangement。 It was that of a young girl dressed in some forgotten
medieval peasant garb of velvet braids； silver…staylaced corsage；
lace sleeves； and helmeted metallic comb。 But； after the Dresden
method； the pale yellow of her hair was repeated in her bodice； the
pink of her cheeks was in the roses of her chintz overskirt。 The
blue of her eyes was the blue of her petticoat； the dazzling
whiteness of her neck shone again in the sleeves and stockings。
Nevertheless she was real and human； for the pink deepened in her
cheeks as Hoffman's hat flew from his head； and she recognized the
civility with a grave little curtsy。
〃You have come to see the dairy；〃 she said in quaintly accurate
English； 〃I will show you the way。〃
〃If you please；〃 said Hoffman； gaily； 〃but〃
〃But what？〃 she said； facing him suddenly with absolutely
astonished eyes。
Hoffman looked into them so long that their frank wonder presently
contracted into an ominous mingling of restraint and resentment。
Nothing daunted； however； he went on：
〃Couldn't we shake all that？〃
The look of wonder returned。 〃Shake all that？〃 she repeated。 〃I
do not understand。〃
〃Well！ I'm not positively aching to see cows； and you must be sick
of showing them。 I think； too； I've about sized the whole show。
Wouldn't it be better if we sat down in that arborsupposing it
won't fall downand you told me all about the lot？ It would save
you a heap of trouble and keep your pretty frock cleaner than
trapesing round。 Of course；〃 he said； with a quick transition to
the gentlest courtesy； 〃if you're conscientious about this thing
we'll go on and not spare a cow。 Consider me in it with you for
the whole morning。〃
She looked at him again； and then suddenly broke into a charming
laugh。 It revealed a set of strong white teeth； as well as a
certain barbaric trace in its cadence which civilized restraint had
not entirely overlaid。
〃I suppose she really is a peasant； in spite of that pretty frock；〃
he said to himself as he laughed too。
But her face presently took a shade of reserve； and with a gentle
but singular significance she said：
〃I think you must see the dairy。〃
Hoffman's hat was in his hand with a vivacity that tumbled the
brown curls on his forehead。 〃By all means；〃 he said instantly；
and began walking by her side in modest but easy silence。 Now that
he thought her a conscientious peasant he was quiet and respectful。
Presently she lifted her eyes； which； despite her gravity； had not
entirely lost their previous mirthfulness； and said：
〃But you Americansin your rich and prosperous country； with your
large lands and your great harvestsyou must know all about
farming。〃
〃Never was in a dairy in my life；〃 said Hoffman gravely。 〃I'm from
the city of New York； where the cows give swill milk； and are kept
in cellars。〃
Her eyebrows contracted prettily in an effort to understand。 Then
she apparently gave it up； and said with a slanting glint of
mischief in her eyes：
〃Then you come here like the other Americans in hope to see the
Grand Duke and Duchess and the Princesses？〃
〃No。 The fact is I almost tumbled into a lot of 'emstanding like
wax figuresthe other side of the park lodge； the other dayand
got away as soon as I could。 I think I prefer the cows。〃
Her head was slightly turned away。 He had to content himself with
looking down upon the strong feet in their serviceable but smartly
buckled shoes that uplifted her upright figure as she moved beside
him。
〃Of course；〃 he added with boyish but unmistakable courtesy； 〃if
it's part of your show to trot out the family； why I'm in that；
too。 I dare say you could make them interesting。〃
〃But why；〃 she said with her head still slightly turned away toward
a figurea sturdy…looking woman； which； for the first time；
Hoffman perceived was walking in a line with them as the chasseur
had done〃why did you come here at all？〃
〃The first time was a fool accident；〃 he returned frankly。 〃I was
making a short cut through what I thought was a public park。 The
second time was because I had been rude to a Police Inspector whom
I found going through my things； but who apologizedas I suppose
by getting me an invitation from the Grand Duke to come here； and I
thought it only the square thing to both of 'em to accept it。 But
I'm mighty glad I came； I wouldn't have missed YOU for a thousand
dollars。 You see I haven't struck anyone I cared to talk to
since。〃 Here he suddenly remarked that she hadn't looked at him；
and that the delicate whiteness of her neck was quite suffused with
pink； and stopped instantly。 Presently he said quite easily：
〃Who's the chorus？〃
〃The lady？〃
〃Yes。 She's watching us as if she didn't quite approve； you know
just as if she didn't catch on。〃
〃She's the head housekeeper of the farm。 Perhaps you would prefer
to have her show you the dairy； shall I call her？〃
The figure in question was very short and stout； with voluminous