Gritli's Children

tle invalid daughter, he naturally turned the matter over to his wife, who of course took her sister into consultation. The first thing that suggested its

occupied. Mrs. Stein hastened to apologize; she only asked for a friend, and meant no harm by asking; but it was so difficult to find lodgings in Buchberg, and this was a case of great need. Mrs. Bickel could not get over it, however, and long afterwards from t

who was to be married in the autumn. There was a wonderfully beautiful view from the windows out and far away over the green hills, with a background of snow-covered mountains, and westward down the wooded valley, through which rushed the waters of a mountain stream. Mrs.

see no one. But to-day the doctor had promised that Emma should come to see her, and Nora was seated at the window that looked towards the west, her favorite view; for there she could see the foaming brook

red cheeks, and in her hand a bunch of red and blue wild-flowers, which she held out to the pale little invalid, displaying by the gesture a brown, well-rounded arm. Mrs. Stanhope greeted her kindly and gave her a seat near Nora, who took the flowers with grateful thanks. No two girls could have offered a greater contrast to each other than

those beautiful fl

et-me-nots, such a quantity! you ought to see them! As soon as you are well enough, we

head. "I should

r she could think of nothing more delightf

and strawberries don't grow wild there; but you will enjoy going out to pick them; you can't help it

s," said Nora thoughtfully. "But when I go it tires me terr

e, was that the day was done and she must go to bed. No day was long enough to tire her nimble feet, and her only regret was that she ever had to stop walking and running

trong and well; pretty soon you will be well, and then you will

ways so, always tired. I can't bear even to think about r

o feel very

you are going to do the next day; some plan, some game, some fun or other! Oh, my father will make you wel

came up the hill just now, I think how much more beautiful it is in heaven than it is here; and how I shall not be sick or tired there, but can

go there now; the earth too was beautiful and she was happy enough here; she had not half exhausted

ought about

ked disa

can speak to about it, and she did not come with us; I don't mention it to mamma, because s

something which Nora would like to talk about

the meadow, and they will pile it into beautiful soft hay-cocks, and we will go and lie do

ond her mother's efforts, and Emma was anxious to go. It was getting late, she said, confusedly. She had better be at home; and she hastily took her leave. As soon as she stood outside the house, she made one big spring, and never stopped running, downhill and then up, till she stood on her own door-step; and then she suddenly reflected that she was not expected to come back so soon, and that her brother

her aunt's door she ran plump

new friend, Emma? Something has gone wrong, or you woul

sewing at her work-table. Emma sat down as close as she could to her, t

s. Stein offered her a chair and gave h

ttle about Elsli. I am worried about that child; she looks so pale and thin. Hanseli is far too heavy for her to carry, and then the other two boys are always hanging a

ed; and how could I do it if I had to have all the little crybabies round me all the time? There's nobody but Elsli to help me with them. That big Fani might help her to be sure, bu

I tell you Elsli will break down and

the older she grows the harder it will be for her; for she'll have to go into the factory as soon as she can earn wages, and that's harder work than looking after the children. Fani will go first Old Cousin Fekli has his eye on him

ly related to

ays say distinctly, 'Good-day, cousin'; and I don't mind if he does look rather askance as if he didn't know who I was-that's his look-out. I'm

sli had left behind, which she had fill

"I will do all I can to help you, if you w

We are all well now; and yet I have to use both hands to keep things going, and feed all these mouths every day. How can I make things easier? If sickness comes, it will be time enough then to change our ways.

ender heart. "There are many sufferings besides poverty, and some which are much harder to bear. Our Father in heaven knows why he

d down upon her delicate frame; and, sighing deeply, she sat down by her sister's side, intending to lay the case before her, and see what impression Marget's words would make upon her; for aunty had al

ts you; will you come out

now?" asked her mist

nounce or remember suc

you've left standing out in the

call herself hop-stand or hop-pole or something sensible, I coul

n that name again; for the picture of a hop-pole standing

to inquire if it would be possible to find a child to come between school-hours, twice a day

girl would be going on errands for Mrs. Stanhope than carrying her big little brother about in her arms. And

ou, I am sure," she said; "only I am not quite sure whether her mo

eagerly. "I will give the mother whatever

ccompanying Mrs. Stanhope for some distance on her way home, and then turning off on the lane that led to Heiri's cottage. Marget

get along without Elsli." So it was settled that Elsli should go the n

r mother; how the visit to the sick girl had been a complete failure, for Emma was sure that Nora did not care to have her come again, any more than

asure to the sick child, and help to pass happily many a tedious hour of her long day; and, on the other hand, she relied much on the benefit which her romping little girl would receive

together. Children often do, just

she said; and then they quitted the subject, and talked about Elsli's prospects, and rejoiced at the th