s didn't suit their business, or wouldn't.
To carry on a household well, there must be harmony in it. Once you've
got a wife and the two of you choose a place to buy or let that suits
you both, you've gained a lot. Or have you something of the kind under
way?"

"No," said Uli. "I know of one, but she wouldn't take me."

"Why not?" asked Johannes. "Is it another rich farmer's daughter?"

"No," said Uli, "it's the girl that came along today. She hasn't much
money; but whoever gets her is lucky. I've often thought that with her a
man would go farther, even though she hasn't a cent, than with the rich
Elsie. Whatever she takes hold of she does well; she has luck with
everything, and there's nothing she doesn't understand. I don't think
she's ever tired; she's first in the morning and last at night, and
never idle all day. You never have to wait for meals, she never forgets
the maids, and you'd think she couldn't lose her temper; the more there
is to do, the merrier she gets, whereas most people get cross when
they've got a lot to do, and it's no fun to be around. She's thrifty in
everything and yet she's good to the poor, and when anybody gets sick
she can't look after him enough. There's nobody like her far and wide."

"But why shouldn't you get her?" asked Johannes. "Does she hate you?"

"Not exactly," said Uli. "She's nice to me; when she can do me a favor
she never says no, and when she sees that I'd like to have something
done she helps me as much as she can; and she never tries to put
obstacles in the way, like so many women, who, when they see you
absolutely ought to do one thing, absolutely want something else and
hinder you as much as they can. But still she's rather proud, and she
can't forget that she comes of a distinguished family, even if she is
illegitimate. If anybody gets anywhere near her she goes for him as if
she'd eat him, and I wouldn't advise anybody to try to flirt with her
and put hands on her, as is customary in lots of places. More than one
has got a good box from her."

"But that doesn't at all mean that she wouldn't have you," said
Johannes. "If she won't let herself be fingered by everybody, I can't
think any the less of her for it."

"Well, then there's something else," said Uli. "I daren't think of
Freneli any more. Wouldn't she say to me, 'Now that you can't have the
rich one, I'm to be good enough for you, am I? If you could prefer that
green, yellow Elsie to me, then I don't want yo