ThebirthdayoftheEmperorcomesconveniently，inlateAugust，inthegoodweatherwhichisprettysuretofallthen，ifeverintheAustriansummer。Foraweekpast，atCarlsbad，theworkmenhadbeenbuildingascaffoldingfortheilluminationinthewoodsonaheightoverlookingthetown，andmakingunobtrusivepreparationsatpointswithinit。
ThedaywasimportantasthelastofMarch’scure，anditspleasuresbeganforhimbyarenewalofhisacquaintanceinitsfirstkindlinesswiththeEltwins。Hehadmetthemsoseldomthatatonetimehethoughttheymusthavegoneaway，butnowafterhisfirstcuphesawthequiet，sadoldpair，sitting，togetheronabenchintheStadtPark，andheaskedleavetositdownwiththemtillitwastimeforthenext。Eltwinsaidthatthiswastheirlastday，too；andexplainedthathiswifealwayscamewithhimtothesprings，whilehetookthewaters。
“Well。”heapologized，“we’reallthat’sleft，andIsupposeweliketokeeptogether。”Hepaused，andatthelookinMarch’sfacehesuddenlywenton。“Ihaven’tbeenwellforthreeorfouryears；butIalwaysfoughtagainstcomingouthere，whenthedoctorswantedmeto。IsaidI
couldn’tleavehome；and，Idon’tsupposeIevershould。Butmyhomeleftme。”
Ashespokehiswifeshranktenderlynearhim，andMarchsawherstealherwitheredhandintohis。