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looked as if they were preparing for a funeral； but it was a festival…
only the amusement had not yet begun。 A great concert was to take
place； and that is why the baron's young son had brought his willow
flute with him； but he could not make it sound； nor could his
father； and therefore the flute was good for nothing。
There was music and songs of the kind which delight most those
that perform them； otherwise quite charming！
〃Are you an artist？〃 said a cavalier； the son of his father；
〃you play on the flute； you have made it yourself； it is genius that
rules… the place of honour is due to you。〃
〃Certainly not！ I only advance with the time； and that of course
one can't help。〃
〃I hope you will delight us all with the little instrument… will
you not？〃 Thus saying he handed to the tutor the flute which had
been cut from the willow tree by the pool； and then announced in a
loud voice that the tutor wished to perform a solo on the flute。
They wished to tease him… that was evident； and therefore the tutor
declined to play； although he could do so very well。 They urged and
requested him； however； so long； that at last he took up the flute and
placed it to his lips。
That was a marvellous flute！ Its sound was as thrilling as the
whistle of a steam engine； in fact it was much stronger； for it
sounded and was heard in the yard； in the garden； in the wood； and
many miles round in the country； at the same time a storm rose and
roared； 〃Everything in the right place。〃 And with this the baron； as
if carried by the wind； flew out of the hall straight into the
shepherd's cottage； and the shepherd flew… not into the hall；
thither he could not come… but into the servants' hall； among the
smart footmen who were striding about in silk stockings； these haughty
menials looked horror…struck that such a person ventured to sit at
table with them。 But in the hall the baron's daughter flew to the
place of honour at the end of the table… she was worthy to sit
there； the pastor's son had the seat next to her； the two sat there as
if they were a bridal pair。 An old Count； belonging to one of the
oldest families of the country； remained untouched in his place of
honour； the flute was just； and it is one's duty to be so。 The
sharp…tongued cavalier who had caused the flute to be played； and
who was the child of his parents； flew headlong into the fowl…house；
but not he alone。
The flute was heard at the distance of a mile； and strange
events took place。 A rich banker's family； who were driving in a coach
and four； were blown out of it； and could not even find room behind it
with their footmen。 Two rich farmers who had in our days shot up
higher than their own corn…fields； were flung into the ditch； it was a
dangerous flute。 Fortunately it burst at the first sound； and that was
a good thing； for then it was put back into its owner's pocket… 〃its
right place。〃
The next day； nobody spoke a word about what had taken place； thus
originated the phrase； 〃to pocket the flute。〃 Everything was again
in its usual order； except that the two old pictures of the peddlar
and the goose…girl were hanging in the banqueting…hall。 There they
were on the wall as if blown up there； and as a real expert said
that they were painted by a master's hand； they remained there and
were restored。 〃Everything in the right place；〃 and to this it will
come。 Eternity is long； much longer indeed than this story。
THE END
。