Then he laid the heavy bag in the hand of the King.
"We, thy faithful subjects," he continued, "of the sect of the Mennonites, having heard of the great misfortunes which it has pleased God to permit, have gladly contributed this little sum which we beg our beloved King and ruler to accept, and we desire to assure him that the prayers of his faithful Mennonites shall not fail for him and his."
The wife then placed a basket in the hands of Queen Louisa.
"I have heard," said this kind woman, "that our good Queen likes good fresh butter very much, and that the little Princes and Princesses eat bread and butter very heartily, so I have made some myself, which is very fresh and good, and that is very rare just now, so I thought it might be acceptable. My gracious Queen will not despise this humble gift. This I see already in thy true and friendly features. Oh, how glad I am to have seen thee once so near and, face to face, have spoken with thee!"
Queen Louisa took the basket, with tears in her lovely eyes.
"Dear Frau Nicholls," she cried, her face all warm with gratitude, "I thank you many, many times, and over and over."
Then she took off the handsome shawl she wore and threw it about the shoulders of the Mennonite woman.
"Dear Frau Nicholls," she said, "keep this in remembrance of me."
For answer the good woman burst out into speeches of pity for the misfortunes of the poor King.
But his Majesty, interrupting her with a kind smile, lifted his hand to check her.