even your own father; but Franzl is right;
she is quite patient with all your whims, for at this moment every one
must give way to your wishes."

"So!" said Annele, "but I don't wish anyone to give way to me. What I
said about my father was mere idle talk;--I don't myself know what put
it into my head; but Franzl shall leave the house! So she complains of
me to you, does she?"

Lenz tried hard to deny this, and to excuse Franzl, saying that her
intentions were very different--but all was in vain: before fourteen
days had passed, Franzl must leave the house, Lenz tried to console
her, as he best could, by saying that no doubt she would come back
soon, and that he would pay her wages as long as she lived. Franzl
shook her head, and said, with tears:--

"The good Lord will provide for me, no doubt I never thought I should
have left this house, till I was carried out of it in my coffin. I have
been eight-and-twenty years here,--but I can't help it. Oh, dear! to
look at all my pots and pans, and my copper kettle and my pails! how
many thousand times have I had them in my hand, and cleaned them. No
one can say, when I am gone, that I was not tidy and orderly; there
stand my witnesses; if they could speak, every handle and spout must
say how I have been, and what I have been; but God knows all things; He
can see not only into houses, but into hearts;--that is my comfort,
consolation, and solace,--but I say no more. To tell the truth I am not
sorry to leave, for I would rather spin thorns than stay here. I don't
wish to vex your heart, Lenz;--I would rather you killed me at once
like a rat, than be the cause of strife in your home: no, no, that
shall never be. Have no anxiety on my account; you have enough without
that; and if I could take your troubles with me, I would not care if I
sank down on the way from the burden. Don't think of me;--I mean to go
to my brother in Kunslingen; I was born there, and there I mean to stay
till I die; and when I join your mother in paradise, I will wait on her
just as I used to do. The good Lord will admit me for her sake, and for
her sake I feel sure you will prosper in the world. Now, farewell; and
forgive me if I ever offended you. Good bye, and good bye a thousand
times over!"

Lenz was silent and gloomy for a long time after Franzl went away, but
Annele was more cheerful than ever. She was indeed a sorceress, for she
could influence him as she chose; her voice seemed to have some magi