"Goody!" exclaimed Hans; "then I don't need to either," and he put his multiplication table back in his book sack. Study was the most unpleasant thing he ever had to do.
"I shall tell the teacher who is to blame for all this laziness," said Chappi, threateningly; "you will find out what he will do to you."
This might have been carried on indefinitely had not the father returned from the barn. He brought two large mill sacks and asked Chappi to take his things from the table; then he spread out the sacks, folded them neatly, and laid them on the bench behind the stove.
"There," he said, "that is all right. Where is your bundle, little one?"
Wiseli brought it from the corner, where she had put it, and was surprised to see her uncle place it at one end of the sacks and press it flat with his hands.
"There!" he repeated as he gave the bundle a last pat. Then turning to Wiseli, he added: "You may go to sleep now; the bundle will be your pillow and the stove will keep you from getting cold. You three boys must be off to bed!"
He took the lamp and followed the boys out, but he returned presently and said: "I hope you will sleep well, Wiseli. Try hard not to think about what has happened to-day. It will all come right later." Then he left her to herself.
A moment later the aunt came, carrying a small lamp, and wished to see the bed. "Can you sleep that way?" she asked, almost kindly. "It will be nice and warm for you. Some people haven't any bed and are cold besides. It may happen to be the case with you yet, so you better be thankful that you have a roof over your head. Good night."
"Good night," answered Wiseli, but the door closed too quickly for the aunt to hear.