"Let's be quiet," said she at last. "Don't worry me through all those songs; I don't feel like doing anything to-day."
The bells were tolling for the third time. The two friends were sitting together in silence.
At last Stasi said: "How kind it is of the innkeeper to let them ride home from church in his wagon."
"Listen! I hear wheels. They can't be coming already."
"No, that's the rattle of the doctor's carriage. There he is, up there by the willows; and there's another gentleman with him."
"Don't talk to me now, Stasi," said the young mother; "let the whole world drive by; it's all the same to me."
She sat there silently, resting her head against the back of the chair and looking out into the golden sunlight that seemed to infuse all nature with new life. The grass was of a lovelier green than ever before; the lake glittered with the soft sheen of the ever-changing light; the waves were splashing against the shore; a gentle breeze wafted the odors of the violets and rosemary from the window-shelf into the room.
A carriage stopped before the cottage. First, the loud cracking of a whip was heard; then, approaching footsteps, and at last, the jolly doctor calling out: "Hansei! Is there no one at home?"
"No," answered Stasi, "there's nobody but Walpurga and me," whereupon there was great laughter out of doors.
Doctor Kumpan entered the room, followed by the stranger, who started as if amazed. Moved with admiration by the sight he beheld, he bowed involuntarily; but, checking himself, he was more erect than before.