s could be said of her. She was
industrious, and watchful of her interests, and kept others under
strict control. She held her husband in all fitting honor, as a wife
should, but there was never any thought of love, either in her youth or
now. She was the daughter of a farmer in a neighboring borough, and had
married in the same rank, for she had never dreamed of the possibility
of doing otherwise. During the time that Landolin was bailiff she had
worthily done the honors of the house; she had unbounded confidence in
her husband, and when people came with complaints to her, her usual
answer was: "Just be patient, my husband will make everything right."
She was entirely frank, what she said she meant; but she spoke little,
for much speaking was not befitting a farmer's wife; and as for much
thinking--for that there was no need. A wife must keep the house in
order, economize, and be strictly honest, as the custom is--to think is
quite unnecessary.

The head-servant, Tobias, came from the stable-door. The two nodded to
one another without a word, and yet each had a deep respect for the
other; for, in his place, the head-servant was equally responsible for
the honor of the household; therefore he ranked next after the farmer,
and before the only son, who, in this family, was indeed too young to
be much thought of.

Tobias had already endured fifteen years in this house, for living here
meant endurance, and during all this time he had never called upon the
farmer's wife for aid against the violence of the master; in his heart
he respected the mistress who never wanted anything for herself, but
who seemed to think herself in the world only that she might be
obedient to her husband. When the farmer drove through the country to
the different gala-day festivals with his beautiful, proud daughter,
his wife thought it only right and a matter of course that she should
be left behind, and she had no longing for the world outside. She had
grown up in a secluded farm-house, where the principal pleasure lay in
being able, while the sun shone on Sunday--to sleep in the afternoon.

"Mistress," began the head-servant, Tobias, "Mistress, may I ask you a
question?"

"Certainly."

"Is it true that your daughter----?"

"Will be betrothed to-day."

"Praise be to God and thanks!" cried the head-servant; "God forgive me,
I was afraid the master would not give her to anybody, that he would
think nobody good enough for her! Anton Armbrust