"Well done, little Laura! Think you I have not known how charmingly you have kept house for me?"
"How could you, dear Motherkin? and how can you ever forgive me for running off as I did?"
"Ah! we will let by-gones be by-gones; you have had all the punishment necessary; now we must see what we can do to entertain our little guest. Poor Grim has his herbs, but he has also a sprained ankle which we must nurse. How have you liked being my maid?"
Laura hung her head as she replied: "Truly, I have enjoyed it. Is it ladylike for me to have done so?"
"Surely it is, and, if you will have the patience to learn, I will make you proficient in many other homely duties, such as knitting and spinning."
"But the peasants do those things."
"Well, the peasants are happy."
"But I shall not live as they do."
"No matter; it is well you should understand all things; they may serve you, they may not; they will teach you in many other ways. You will learn to have sympathy for all; you will learn to be patient and painstaking."
"Then I will try."