to me, and then ran to the table. Aunt
Gredel also came to see the present. Catharine untied the cord and
opened the box. I was behind them; my heart jumped, jumped,--I feared
that the watch was not pretty enough. But in an instant, Catharine,
clasping her hands, said in a low voice:

"How beautiful! It is a watch!"

"Yes," said Aunt Gredel; "it is beautiful! I never saw so fine a one.
One would think it was silver."

"But it _is_ silver," returned Catharine, turning toward me inquiringly.

Then I said:

"Do you think, Aunt Gredel, that I would be capable of giving a gilt
watch to one whom I love better than my own life? If I could do such a
thing, I would despise myself more than the dirt of my shoes."

Catharine, hearing this, threw her arms around my neck; and as we stood
thus, I thought: "this is the happiest day of my life." I could not
let her go.

Aunt Gredel asked:

"But what is this painted upon the face?"

I could not speak to answer her; and only at last, when we were seated
beside each other, I took the watch and said:

"That painting, Aunt Gredel, represents two lovers who love each other
more than they can tell: Joseph Bertha and Catharine Bauer; Joseph is
offering a bouquet of roses to his sweetheart, who is stretching out
her hand to take them."

When Aunt Gredel had sufficiently admired the watch, she said:

"Come until I kiss you, Joseph. I see very well that you must have
economized closely, and worked hard for this watch, and I think it is
very pretty, and that you are a good workman, and will do us no
discredit."

I kissed Aunt Gredel's cheek, and from then until midday, I did not let
go Catharine's hand. We were as happy as could be looking at each
other. Aunt Gredel bustled about to prepare a large pancake with dried
prunes, and wine, and cinnamon, and other good things in it; but we
paid no attention to her, and it was only when she put on her red
jacket and black sabots, and called, "Come, my children; to table!"
that we saw the fine tablecloth, the great porringer, the pitcher of
wine, and the large round, golden pancake on a plate in the middle.
The sight rejoiced us not a little, and Catharine said:

"Sit there, Joseph, opposite the window, that I may look at you. But
you must fix my watch, for I do not know where to put it."

I passed the chain around her neck, and then, seating ourselves, we ate
gayly. Without, not a sound was heard; within, the fire crackled