Maezli’s love for Leonore showed itself more than anything in a wish to lend her a helping; hand in many things which the little girl felt her lovely friend stood in need of.  She had seen quite plainly that Leonore often became very sad when everyone else about her was laughing and she herself had been quite bright a moment before.  But Maezli knew how she was going to help.  She meant to tell Apollonie how to fit up her cottage for Leonore and Salo, who, she hoped, would spend his holidays there, too.  She meant to superintend these preparations herself and to have it all fixed as daintily as possible.

By this time Mea’s new friend was adored by the whole family, and they showed it by doing all in their power for her.  They had agreed that she differed absolutely from Mea’s former friends.  They could not analyze wherein lay the charm which pervaded her whole personality.  The children had never known anybody who was so polite towards everyone, including Kathy, who only spoke affectionate, tender words, and always seemed so grateful when others were kind to her.  This spirit was something new and extremely delightful.  They had to admit to themselves that they wished everybody would act in such a way, as this would do away forever with the fights and altercations that had always arisen between them, and for which they were afterwards always sorry.  The only thing they would have been glad to change in Leonore were her sudden fits of gloom, which affected them all.  Leonore tried very hard to fight these depressing thoughts, but they went so deep that she seldom succeeded.  Their mother consoled them by saying that Leonore would get stronger as soon as she could take walks with them in the woods and meadows, and that feelings which now weighed on her would then seem lighter.

A few days later the children, including Leonore, came back with rosy cheeks and glowing eyes from their first walk to the surrounding hills.  The fresh mountain breeze had exhilarated them so much that the feeling of well-being was laughing from their young faces.  Even Leonore’s cheeks, that were usually so pale, were faintly tinged with a rosy hue.  The mother stepped out of the garden into the road in order to welcome the children.

“Oh,” she cried out joyfully.  “This first walk has been splendid.  Leonore looks like a fresh apple-blossom.”

Taking her hand with great tenderness between her own, she gazed at her very closely in order to rejoice over the rosy color on the child’s delicate face.  That moment a beggar-woman approached, holding by each hand a little girl.  The children’s clothes were so ragged that their little bodies were scarcely covered.

Looking at Mrs. Maxa, the beggar-woman said, “Yes, yes, children can make one happy enough when one has a home.  You are a fortunate lady to have a good roof for your own.  It would be better for two such homeless ones as these not to exist!  They are sure to remain homeless all their lives, and that is the saddest thing of all.”