of stout hands ready to work.

The trees rolled down by Faller, at all events served as a firm
support, and, miner fashion, a path was dug out below, and above also
the work went on quickly, and according to a regular plan.

A solitary raven kept constantly flying among those who were clearing
away the snow, and would not be driven away. Its companions in the air
screeched to it in vain; it paid no attention to their cries, but
watched those who were at work, as if it had something very particular
to communicate.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
A PLANT GROWS UNDER THE SNOW.

Lenz sat sad and silent in darkness and solitude, watching for death.

Petrowitsch awoke at last, and related to Lenz, that in the days of his
youth, he remembered a house being overwhelmed by an avalanche in a
similar manner, and that, when they at last succeeded in digging out
the inhabitants, they found them all crushed flat, and four peasants
who had been sitting round a table were crushed also, with their cards
still in their hands. The old man shuddered as he recalled this
circumstance, and yet he could not refrain from relating it; it was a
relief to him to tell it, although it made Lenz shiver with horror. He
however quickly added, that he felt sure that God would permit them to
be saved, for the sake of the innocent child; and he almost rebelled
against the decrees of Providence, in ordaining that the poor child
should be buried along with them.

"Annele is now, however, become as good and placid as a child,"
answered Lenz.

Petrowitsch shook his head, and admonished him, if he ever saw the
light again, not to be so easily reconciled; he advised him to act in
such a manner, that Annele must daily and hourly seek to win his
affections. Lenz resisted this advice, and told his uncle that it was
evident he never had been married:--

"An angel dwelt within Annele, that might render home a heaven for any
man, and the sad thing was, that in the bitterness of her trials, she
had repressed all the naturally good impulses of her kind heart."

Petrowitsch shook his head again, but made no reply.

The child suddenly gave a loud scream, and Annele awoke and cried
out:--

"The ceiling is falling! the ceiling is falling! Lenz, where are you?
stay beside me! let us die together: give me the child in my arms!"

By degrees Annele was pacified, and with restored self command went
into the sitting room