that clung to their
tips; and over everything the sky spread itself, mysterious and
fragrant, the impenetrable source of God's wonders. Black crows were
flying across the fields; green woodpeckers hung on the trees; fleet
squirrels ran across the road and, hastily gaining a branch, peeped out
curiously at the passing travelers, while high in the air the snow-geese
sailed on toward a, warmer country in their well-ordered triangle, and
their strange travel-song floated strangely down from their lofty
height.

The mother's judicious eyes roved actively over the whole scene; there
was no end to her comments, and she and Uli exchanged many a shrewd
remark. Especially when they drove through the villages did the
noteworthy things become legion, and there were few houses that did not
offer her opportunity for comment. To sit at home all the time was no
use, said she; one always kept seeing the same things. One ought to
drive around the country from time to time; then one could not merely
gratify his curiosity, but learn a lot too. Folks didn't do things
everywhere alike, and in some places they did better than in others, and
so one could always pick and choose the best. They had not driven much
more than, two hours when she began to suggest that they must give
Blackie something to eat. He was not used to running so long, and they
must bring him home in good condition. "You stop at the next
public-house," she said in response to Uli's objections, "and see if he
won't eat a measure of oats. I'd just as soon have something myself; I'm
actually beginning to be cold."

Arrived there, she said to Uli, "When the horse has his oats, come in."
In the doorway she again turned around and cried, "Do you hear? Come in
then." After the hostess having wiped off the benches in the tavern with
her apron, had asked, "What can I bring you?" and a good bottle and some
tea had been ordered, the women sat down, looked around the room, made
their comments in a low voice, and wondered that it was no later by this
clock. But Uli had probably driven fast; one could see that he had been
in a hurry to get there. When finally the order was brought with the
excuse that it had taken a long time because the water had not been hot
and the wood had refused to burn, the mother told Freneli to call Uli;
she didn't see why he didn't come; she had told him twice. When he had
come and had drunk their health sufficiently, the hostess tried to begin
a conversation,