It was almost a full hour's walk to their house, and they had scarcely gone a few hundred steps, when the wife said:
"Hansei, I oughtn't to have let Annamirl go."
"Ill run after her as fast as I can, I can catch up with her yet," said the husband.
"For God's sake, don't!" said his wife, holding him fast. "I'd be all alone here on the highway. Stay here! It'll soon be all right again."
"Wait a second! Hold fast to the tree! That's it."
The husband rushed into the meadow, gathered up an armful of hay, placed it on the pile of stones by the wayside, and seated his wife upon it.
"I feel better, already," said the wife.
"Don't talk now, rest yourself! Oh! dear me; if only a wagon were to come along; but there's neither man nor beast in sight. Just take a good rest, and then I'll carry you home. You're not too heavy for me. I've carried heavier loads many a time."
"Do you mean to carry me, in broad daylight?" said the wife, laughing so heartily that she was obliged to rest her hand on the stones, to support herself. "You dear, good fellow! Much obliged, but there's no need of it. I'm all right now, and can walk." She got up briskly, and Hansei's face was radiant with joy.
"Thank God! Here comes the doctor, in the very nick of time."