e sold them to buy
bread.

--He had a beautiful black frock-coat, the one in which he was
married, and he sold that too.

--The only thing they'll have left is their engagement rings. How poor
they are!

--That's nothing. I was once young myself, and I know what it is.

--What did you say, grandpa?

--I said it's nothing, nothing at all.

--Look, the mere thought of them makes grandpa want to sing.

--And dance.

_[They laugh._

--He is so kind. He made my boy a bow and arrow.

--She cried with me when my daughter was ill.

--He helped me mend the rickety fence. He's strong.

--It's nice to have such good neighbors. Their youth warms our cold
old age. Their jolliness drives away our cares.

--But their room is like a prison, it's so empty.

--No, it's like a temple. It's so bright.

--Look, they have flowers on the table, the flowers she picked on her
walk in the country in her rosy dress with her little bare neck. Here
are lilies-of-the-valley. The dew hasn't dried on them yet.

--There is the burning campion.

--And violets.

--Don't touch; don't touch the flowers, girls. Her kisses are upon
them. Don't throw them on the floor, girls. Her breath is upon them.
Don't blow them away with your breath. Don't touch, don't touch the
flowers, girls.

--He'll come and he'll see the flowers.

--He'll take the kisses.

--He'll drink her breath.

--How poor they are! How happy they are!

--Come, let's leave.

--Haven't we brought our dear neighbors anything?

--What a shame!

--I brought a bottle of milk and a piece of white, sweet-smelling
bread. _(Puts them on the table)_

--I brought flowers. _(Scatters them)_

--We brought branches of oak and birch with green leaves. Let's put
them up around the walls. The room will look like cheerful green
woods.

_[They decorate the room with the branches, concealing the dark
windows and covering the pinkish nakedness of the walls with leaves._

--I, brought a good cigar. It is a cheap one, but it's strong and
fragrant and will give pleasant dreams.

--And I brought a ribbon, a red ribbon. It makes a very pretty fancy
bow for the hair. It's a present my sweetheart gave me; but I have so
many ribbons and she hasn't even one.

--What did you bring, grandpa? Did you bring anything?

--Nothing, nothing, except my cough. They don't want that, do they,
neighbor?

--No more than they want my crutches. Hey, girls, who wants my
crutches?

--Do you r