Suddenly a thought came into the boy's head: he went up to his mother, who had just concluded her sorrowful leave-taking.
"Are we going away for good, mother?" he said.
"Yes, my child, never to return."
"Shall we not take my foal and calf? You promised me this morning that I should rear them."
"I did promise you, my child, but they no longer belong to us."
The firm character of the mother already manifested itself in the son. With scarcely a change of countenance.
"Mother," he said, "will they remain on the farm?"
"They will remain here."
He ran to the farm-servants, and begged them to take care of his calf and foal, and let them want for nothing. Then he returned contentedly to his mother's side. For the poor woman, however, yet another trial was in store.
"I take my white chicken with me, mother!" cried the little girl, pressing the pretty bird to her bosom.