Here were peasants bringing in wood, gardeners laden
with vegetables and flowers, women running to and fro with baskets full of
linen, and all to the accompaniment of such a hammering, bell-ringing, and
clattering of tongues as I had never heard before.
I stood bewildered, not knowing what to do, or where to go.
"What is the matter? What has happened? What are you doing?" I asked, first
of one and then of another; but they were all too busy to answer.
"Ach, lieber Gott!" said one, "I've no time for talking!"
"Don't ask me, little Fraeulein," said another. "I have eight windows to
clean up yonder, and only one pair of hands to do them with!"
"If you want to know what is to do," said a third impatiently, "you had
better come and see."
The head-gardener's son came by with two pots of magnificent geraniums, one
under each arm.
"Where are you going with those flowers, Wilhelm?" I asked, running after
him.
"They are for the state salon, Fraeulein Gretchen," he replied, and hurried
on.
For the state salon! I ran round to the side of the grand entrance. There
were soldiers putting up banners in the hall; others helping to carry
furniture up stairs; carpenters with ladders; women with brooms and
brushes; and Corporal Fritz bustling hither and thither, giving orders, and
seeing after everything.
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