then, as if a bright
thought had cleared up all doubts, he said: "Now, don't you think it
would be pleasanter and more independent if you gave something in
exchange for the five florins? Something that can be of no use to
yourself--your husband's tools, for instance? I will give you a fair
price,--enough to pay for this unlucky goat, and something over for a
rainy day. But, my good woman, what's the matter?" he added, seeing
tears in her eyes and Stephan eagerly clutching her arm, as if to get
her away.

"Nothing, sir, nothing; you are quite right; I had forgotten the tools
would bring money; but you must excuse me if I do not decide till
to-morrow, for my boy here has set his heart on being a guitar and
zither maker, like his poor father, and always fancies he would work
better with those tools."

"What! Stephan make violins? How is he ever to do that, when he spends
all his days up the mountains? Have you not told me yourself that you
cannot manage without his earnings?"

"Neither do I think we could, sir, or I should have tried it long ago,
for it is hard for him to be minding goats, when he might be earning
something to help him on in life."

"Can he do anything? Has he any taste for the work?"

"Yes, I think so; he generally works at it in the evening, and has made
several small violins for Christmas gifts to the neighbors' children.
But they are toys. Perhaps you would allow me to bring one to show you
to-morrow," she ventured to add.

"Certainly, neighbor, but I don't promise anything, mind, except about
the tools. I shall be at the warehouse at six o'clock. Be punctual.
Good-evening."

"O, mother! Don't give him the tools. Give him anything else. There's my
new green hat--my best jacket--I can easily do with the one I have on,"
said Stephan, anxiously, as he watched the receding figure of the rich
man of the village.

"My dear child! of what use could your clothes be to the gentleman? He
wants the tools. I am very sorry, but there is really nothing else of
any value, and we have no right to borrow money when we can obtain it by
the sacrifice of something we should like to keep. We must never
hesitate to perform a plain duty, however disagreeable. So, now show
yourself a brave boy, and help me to do this one cheerfully."

The next day, Stephan began his day's work with a determination to look
on the bright side of his troubles. His goats, however, had in some way
become a greater charge than he had e