as Maria; and when, after we were
come home, I spoke of this token of good promise, she asked me how, in
these evil days, I could find heart to think of such matters; and she
sighed and cried: "Oh, Margery, indeed I am heavy at heart! For three
long years have I taken patience and with a right good will. But the end,
meseems, is further than ever, and he who should have helped us is
disabled or ever he has stirred a finger, and even my lord Cardinal's
home-coming is put off, albeit all men know that Herdegen is as a man in
a den of lions--and I, my spirit sinks within me. And even my wise
grandmother can give me no better counsel than to 'wait patiently' and
yet again 'Wait' . . ."

Whereupon Susan, who had taken off from us our wet hoods, broke in with:
"Aye, Mistress Ann, and that has ever from the days of Adam and Eve, been
the best of all counsel. For life all through is but waiting for the end;
and even when we have taken the last Sacrament and our eyes are dim in
death then most of all must we take Patience, waiting for that we shall
find beyond the grave. Here below! By my soul, I myself grew grey waiting
in vain for one who long years ago gave me this ring. Others had better
luck; yet if the priest had wed us, would that have made an end of
Patience? I trow not! It might have been for weal or it might have been
for woe. A wife may go to mass every day in the month. But is that an end
of Patience? Will the storks bring her a babe or no? Will it be a boy or
a maid? And if the little one should come, after the wife has told her
beads till her fingers are sore, what will the waiting babe turn out?
Such an one as Junker Herdegen grows up to be the delight of every eye
and heart, and if that make less need of Patience meseems we know full
well! And Mistress Waldstromer, out in the forest, a lady, she, of stern
stuff, she could tell a tale; and I say, Mistress Ann, if old Dame
Pernhart's answer sinks into your heart, God's blessing rest on it!--I am
waiting, as you are waiting. We each and all are waiting for one; if by
the merciful help of the Saints he ever comes home, yet never dream,
Mistress Ann, that Patience will be out of court."

And with such comfort as this the old woman hung our garments to dry
while we bowed our heads and went up-stairs.

Up in the guest-chamber we heard loud voices, and as we went in a strange
sight met our eyes. Uncle Christian and Doctor Holzschuher were sitting
face to face with Cous