[There is general laughter.]
And her husband is so kindhearted! One day he made my little boy a bow-and-arrows.
And when my little girl fell ill his wife wept almost as much as I did.
And when my garden wall fell down he helped me to build it up in no time. What a fine strong fellow he is, to be sure!
Yes, it is quite pleasant to have such kindly folks for neighbours. Their youthfulness helps to warm our chilly old age, and their lightheartedness to drive away our care.
But this poor room of theirs looks like a prison-cell, it is so bare.
Nay. Say, rather, it is like a church, it is so bright!
See the flowers on the table! She ha's been plucking them as she walked through the fields, in that poor pink gown of hers and faded hair-riband. Here are some May lilies, with the dew not dry upon them.
And a bright red pineflower.
And violets.