ntly awaiting her husband.
Great was her disappointment when all he brought her was a stone.

"Well, to be sure!" she cried, after he had recounted what had taken
place, "I _am_ disappointed." And, taking the little stone, she threw
it into a corner of the room.

"Dear wife," replied the man, "do not take it so to heart. The money
was spent in a good work; in making peace between the children of our
neighbours."

His wife at length became more reconciled to the loss, considering
that after all he had done right to make peace between their
neighbours' sons at any cost. Not many minutes after, the parents of
the two lads came to thank the man for having separated the boys. They
also thanked him for the money he had given to the boys, for they knew
he sorely needed it himself. Each of the parents gave him a present
for his friendly service; and from that day they always treated him
most kindly, and often gave him little jobs to do, so that the poor
couple never wanted bread.

Not long afterwards, it happened that the King's Ambassador passed
that way, with a great retinue of officials, secretaries, and
servitors; and it fell out that, night coming on, the Ambassador
decided upon taking his quarters in the village.

The village inns were small, and could not afford accommodation for so
large a retinue, and the various cottagers were asked to take in one
or more of the servants. Among those who gave lodgings to the retinue
were our good couple, who took in a lodger, for whom they were paid
handsomely. The wife quickly prepared a clean, tidy bed, and did her
best to make things comfortable.

The guest, being tired, was soon fast asleep. Toward morning he awoke,
and was surprised to see the chamber bathed in a resplendent light.
Knowing well that the people of the house could not afford a lamp or
candles, he arose to find out whence proceeded this unusual
brilliancy. Great was his astonishment to find that it proceeded from
a small stone in the corner of the room, which, as the sun struck on
it, sent out rays of vivid light. He took up the stone, and, believing
it to be of great value, took it to the Ambassador.

When the nobleman examined the stone, he admired it greatly, and
desired its owner to be sent for in order to learn all particulars
about it.

"Please, your Excellency," said the poor man, "it is of no use to us,
and if it pleases you, take it, for it cost me only a small coin"; and
he proceeded to relate h