had thought she never would unless she could believe from the bottom of her heart that she had found the breast on which to lay her head in joy and sorrow, and which would be true to her in life and death.  But she had found none that she could have such faith in.  She loved Uli, had loved him long, more than she could say; but this faith in him she hadn’t yet been able to have.  And if she was deceived this time, if Uli’s love and loyalty weren’t true and genuine, then her last hope would be gone, then she’d never find the breast she sought, and would have to die unhappy.  That was why she was so afraid, and she begged them on her knees to leave her in peace, so that she could consider thoroughly what was best for her to do.  Oh, they didn’t know how a poor orphan felt, that had never sat on her father’s lap, or been kissed by her mother!

“You’re a dear silly child,” said her aunt, wiping her wet cheeks.  “If I’d known that that’s what you wanted I certainly wouldn’t have grudged you an extra kiss now and then.  But why didn’t you say so?  A body can’t think of everything; when you have to plan all day long what to give your folks to eat, you don’t stop to think about who’s to be kissed.”

Uli said he had deserved it; it only served him right, and he ought to have known that it would be so.  But if she could look into his heart she’d see how much he loved her and how honestly.  He wouldn’t excuse himself; he had thought of marrying several times, but never had he loved any one as he did her.  But he wouldn’t coerce her; he would simply have to be content to accept her will in the matter.

“Why, you can just hear,” said her aunt, “how much he loves you.  Come, take your glass and drink health to Uli, and promise him that you’ll be the wife of the leaseholder of Slough Farm.”

Freneli stood up, took her glass and drank the health, but made no promise, only begging them to leave her in peace for today, and say no more about it; tomorrow, if must be, she would give her answer.

“You’re a queer Jenny,” said her aunt.  “Well then, Uli, hitch up; our folks will wonder where we are.”

Outside, the stars were twinkling against the dark-blue background; small wisps of white mist hovered over the moist meadows; single streamers rose along the valley slopes; mild breezes rocked the faded foliage; here and there on the pasture a forgotten cow tinkled her bell for her forgetful master; here and there a frolicsome lad sent his merry cry flying over hill and dale.  The commotion of the day and the driving lulled the old woman into deep sleep, and Uli, with tense muscles, held in the wildly racing Blackie to a moderately fast pace; Freneli was alone in the wide world.  As far off in the distant sky the stars floated in the limitless space of the unfathomable blue ocean, each by itself in its solitary course, so she felt herself again to be the poor, solitary, forsaken girl in the great turmoil of the universe.