The young people went. "What is the matter with the father?" asked Mary, when they were below. "His voice sounded strangely, and yours too. Was he angry with you?"
"I found him excited. He seems ill. Has he not complained of anything?"
"Not to me; but he has been restless, and sometimes silent for hours together. It struck my mother, too. Has he been harsh towards you?"
"We had a discussion about serious things; he asked me, and I could not deny my opinions."
The girl became thoughtful; not until they reached the open air did her face brighten. "Is it not beautiful here?" she asked, spreading out her hands.
"I really did not recognize it again," he answered. "What a wonderful place you have made out of the little barren spot! Ever since I can remember there were only a few fruit trees, and mallows and alders; and now it is full of roses!"
"Yes," she said. "Your mother used not to care about the garden then, and now she delights in it The sacristan's son, who has learned gardening in the town, gave me the first rose bush, and planted it himself; then we added others and now it is quite beautiful. But the finest are not in flower yet."
"And you take care of them yourself?"
"You are astonished at it, because I cannot see," she said gaily; "but I understand what is good for plants. I can tell by the scent when one is fading, or going out of flower, or wants watering; they always tell me. But, indeed, I cannot gather you a flower; for they prick my fingers."
"I will do it for you," he said, and broke off a spray from one of the monthly roses. She took it "You have gathered so many buds with it!" she said. "I will keep one for myself, and place it in water. Take the blooming one again for yourself."