Amy 's mother gave her into my charge , and wo n't reproach me for anything that has passed when I explain matters . As to the lads they must take care of themselves . '' Suddenly both girls colored , fluttered , and became intensely interested . The major 's eyes twinkled as he assumed a perfectly impassive expression , and rapidly delivered himself of the following thunderbolt , -- `` Girls , you have been deceived , and the young men you love are impostors . '' `` I thought so , '' muttered Helen , grimly . `` Oh , uncle , do n't , do n't say that ! '' cried Amy , despairingly . `` It 's true , my dears ; and the worst of it is , I knew the truth all the time . Now , do n't have hysterics , but listen and enjoy the joke as I do . At Coblentz , when you sat in the balcony , two young men overheard Amy sigh for adventures , and Helen advise making a romance out of the gloves one of the lads had dropped . They had seen you by day ; both admired you , and being idle , gay young fellows , they resolved to devote their vacation to gratifying your wishes and enjoying themselves . We met at the Fortress ; I knew one of them , and liked the other immensely ; so when they confided their scheme to me I agreed to help them carry it out , as I had perfect confidence in both , and thought a little adventure or two would do you good . '' `` Uncle , you were mad , '' said Helen ; and Amy added , tragically , -- `` You do n't know what trouble has come of it . '' `` Perhaps I was ; that remains to be proved . I do know everything , and fail to see any trouble , so do n't cry , little girl , '' briskly replied the inexplicable major . `` Well , we had a merry time planning our prank . One of the lads insisted on playing courier , though I objected . He 'd done it before , liked the part , and would have his way . The other could n't decide , being younger and more in love ; so we left him to come into the comedy when he was ready . Karl did capitally , as you will allow ; and I am much attached to him , for in all respects he has been true to his word .
He began at Coblentz ; the other , after doing the mysterious at Heidelberg , appeared as an exile , and made quick work with the prejudices of my well-beloved nieces -- hey , XXXXX ? ''
Amy Fortress Helen Karl day dears hysterics impostors left thunderbolt