please the child, whereas formerly he never moved without a pipe in
his mouth; and when the boy could run alone, he was his constant
companion, and used to lead him by the hand. If the boy is playing with
other children and sees his grandfather, he runs away from all his
games, and cannot be prevailed on to leave his grandfather's side.
Indeed, if a child could be so easily spoilt, David would have ruined
his grandson by his vanity, for his only pleasure in life is hearing
praise of the boy; he is constantly repeating all the wise sayings of
little Joseph, and boasting of how cleverly the boy can talk. Although
David is very conscientious, still he is not at all aware how many
things he invents for the child which he never uttered, and then he
usually winds up by saying, 'Wait till the boy is twenty years older,
and then the whole country will talk of my Joseph, and all he knows.'

"I lately heard an instance of the strange ideas of this singular boy.
On the same day, a child died in this neighbourhood, and one was born;
and little Joseph said: 'Grandfather, isn't it true that when we are
born, we fall asleep in Heaven, and awake on earth; and when we die, we
fall asleep on earth, and awake in Heaven?'

"Little Joseph is also generally present when his grandfather is
talking with his neighbours, so in this way he hears of all the various
events and quarrels in the village, and knows all its secret history."

"Why do you say nothing of Martina?" interrupted Edward.

"There is very little to relate about her; she lives a quiet but busy
life; ready to lend her aid to any family in sorrow or in need; she
talks very little, and is devoted with the most tender love to her
father, and he repays her by the love he shows towards little Joseph."

"And the father of the boy, Adam? what of him?"

"He also lives very retired, and, as I told you, he is almost kept a
prisoner at home by his parents. He makes no resistance, and seems to
think he has made all the reparation in his power, by uniformly
declaring that, if he is not allowed to marry Martina, he will never
marry at all. The parents anxiously strive to induce Martina to give
him up. Very tempting offers have been made to her, and very
respectable wooers have come forward, whom old Roettmann has offered to
provide with a good sum of money, but she will not for a moment listen
to such proposals, and her invariable answer is, 'I could easily get a
good husband, but my Jose