A total change had come over the old man; he seemed to have lost his senses; and while Amrie remained in the arms of her mother, and could not tear herself away, he struck his thorn-staff upon the table, and cried, “Where is that good-for-nothing boy, John? He hangs his bride about our necks, while he is roving about the country.”
Amrie, then, loosing herself from her mother, said, “that the stable-boy should be sent to the mill, where John was waiting.”
The old man said, “He must at least be left three hours to gape away the time there as a punishment for sheltering himself like a coward behind her apron. When he did come, they would put a woman’s cap on his head; and, indeed, he was not wanted, for he felt much inclined to keep the bride for himself.”
The mother, however, had slipped out, and sent the swift-footed stable-boy to the mill.
They now thought that Amrie must be hungry. The mother proposed an omelet, and Amrie begged that she might be permitted to kindle the first fire in the house, that was to prepare any thing for herself, and also cook something for her parents.
They consented, and both the old people went into the kitchen with her, where she set about every thing so handily; saw with a glance where every thing was kept, and had indeed so few questions to ask, and did her work so quickly and gracefully, that the old man nudged his wife and said, “She has it all by heart, and at her fingers’ ends, like the new schoolmaster.”
All three stood before the clear blazing fire, when John came in. Brighter than the flame upon the hearth, shone their heart-felt happiness from the eyes of all. The hearth with its bright flame was a sacred altar, around which stood four grateful and happy people.
