lways ready at the
turf hut on the edge of Fohrensee, just where the houses ceased and it
began to be lonely. If it was fine, he was walking up and down before the
hut; if it stormed, he was standing under the shelter of the roof. He was
never absent and he never came too late. Yet he was busy all day long,
and had to run half the way to get to the hut in time. His master did not
let him off one moment before the appointed day's work was over, Blasi's
application to learn the saddler's trade had been favorably received by
Gertrude and he had set to work at once. Now that he worked from morning
till night he never had time to put his hands in his pockets, and the
saddler kept him up to the mark, proud of showing how well he himself
understood the business. Blasi was contented, and more than contented with
his life; he had a new and very happy consciousness of being of use, and
he had risen in his own estimation. He felt like a man of property, almost
like a gentleman. By the time he had finished his day's work, and hurried
down to Fohrensee and walked back again, he was so tired that he was
ready to go to bed directly; he had no time nor desire to loaf. And so it
came about that when Veronica wished to give him his piece of money every
evening he objected; for he said he did not want to be paid; he preferred
to have his services accepted on the ground of friendship. Veronica
consented to accept them on that ground, but from time to time she would
say, "Blasi, this is your birthday," or "To-day is the cherry-festival, I
should like to make you a little present," or "I have had extra work
to-day, and I should like to give you part of the extra pay, for if you
had not been coming for me, I could not have waited to do it, so it is
fairly yours;" and each time she pressed into his hand such a large piece
of money that he soon had a considerable sum laid away. Then one day she
gave him a silk handkerchief; and another day half-a-dozen new shirts,
white as snow; and then again a package of handkerchiefs hemmed and ready
for use; and all this increase of property raised his standard of living,
and excited his ambition.

The night before Christmas, Veronica was late in coming home. It was dark
and stormy. She had been delayed at the school, making preparations for
leaving everything in order for the holiday.

When she came into the sitting-room she found her mother at work by
lamp-light, mending a ragged old mail-bag. Advancing y