"Thou mayst do so," said Arius, "and thou mayst help me with my work if thou wilt."
But the little maiden held up her hands that looked like delicate wax-work, and laughingly cried out, "Even with these hands?"
"Yea," said the boy, merrily, "even with those, tender and pretty as they are."
So after the midday meal, when Arius went back to the patch of onions at which he was at work, Theckla accompanied him, and stood awhile watching him as he dug up the tubers.
"What is to be done with these?" she asked.
"They are to be gathered up into little heaps, and carried hence to the house, and stored away until wanted."
"Why, I can pile them up for you," she cried, and straightway she began to gather the onions up as fast as the boy dug them, saying: "I wonder what mamma would think if she knew I was learning to work? But it is good, and I will help thee every day."
"Thou shalt not weary thyself," said the boy, "and thou shalt quit as soon as thou dost desire to do so."
But she would not stop, and continued at the task for several hours, until it was completed, seeming to be delighted with her newly discovered ability to be of use.
"What other work hast thou to do?"