Johan pointed down towards the valley, and said--
'Do you see our house, yonder? Is it not pretty?'
The little girl shook her head, while she replied--
'You think so, perhaps, for you are accustomed to it.'
'I should like very much to see your former home,' said the other brother, George, who had been gazing upon the child with his large expressive eyes. 'Could you find the way to it?'
'Oh! to be sure I could,' she replied. When I go with the sheep up to the top of the hills, I can see it far away towards the east.'
It was agreed that the following Sunday they should all three go to see the wonderfully beautiful cottage the girl had described; and after that excursion they became playfellows and fast friends. In process of time, when the girl grew stronger, the mother of the boys, at their earnest and repeated request, took her as an assistant in her household work, and Ellen became happier and prettier every day. Johan carved wooden shoes for her, carried water for her, and helped her at her weaving; George whitewashed her little room, and planted flowers outside her window: and neither of the brothers ever went to the market-town without bringing a little gift to her.
They were all three confirmed on the same day, though the brothers were older than Ellen; but from that day their peace was disturbed; Lars, the son of the clerk of the church, took it into his head to make up to Ellen, presented her with flowers and a silver ring, and, what was worse, at a dance in the village, shortly after, he danced with her almost the whole evening. Why was it that the gloomy looks of the dissatisfied brothers sought not each other's sympathy? Why did not they open their lips in mutual complaints--why not tell each other that they had never dreamed of any one else dancing with their sister, giving her presents, and speaking soft words to her? Was it not they who had met her first, and had visited with her the cottage on the heath? They, who had been so attached to her? But there had hitherto been two to love her--why had two suddenly become one too many? And when Ellen, her face radiant with joy, came tripping up to George, seized his hand, and said, 'Will you not dance one little dance with me, George?' why did Johan spring forward with a wrathful countenance, snatch away her hand, and exclaim--'No; I am tired of staying here, Ellen; we must go home!'
Then George threw his arm round her waist, pushed Johan away, and said, 'Go, if you like, Johan; but Ellen and I will dance.'
Suddenly the brothers turned upon each other as if they had been bitter enemies; and they would have come to blows, had Ellen not burst into tears, and, separating them, accompanied them home.