“Mercy, is it so late?” cried Freneli; “we must go, Uli.”

“I didn’t want to hurry you,” said the hostess; “the moon will come up before it’s dark.”

“How fast this afternoon went by?” said Johannes’ wife.  “I don’t know as I ever remember time going so fast.”

“I feel the same way,” said the hostess.  “This wedding was something different from that of so many young couples who are so bored they don’t know what to do except drink and play cards, and make you so tired that you’re glad when you see their backs.  Why, sometimes I feel, when I see a lad who can’t do anything but curse on his wedding-day, and who sticks out his borrowed pipe as if he wanted to pull down the moon, that I’d like to give him a punch in the head, so that he’d have it where other folks have it, and learn to talk like other folks.”

The old mistress gave Freneli her hand and said, “You’ve grown very dear to me, as God lives, and I won’t let you go away until you promise me to come back to us real soon.”

“Very gladly,” said Freneli, “if it’s possible.  I’ve been feeling, too, as if I was talking to a mother; and if we only lived nearer, I’d come only too often.  But we have a big place and shan’t be able to leave it much, Uli and I. But you come to see us—­you must promise me that; you have grown-up children and you know your house will be all right even if you are away.”

“Yes, I’ll come to see you, I promise.  I’ve often said to Johannes that I wondered what Slough Farm was like.  And listen, if you should want a godmother some time, don’t take the trouble to go a long ways for one.  I know one that won’t refuse.”

“That would be good news,” said Freneli, and plucked at a ribbon; “I won’t forget it, and will think of it if the time ever comes; you can never know what may happen.”

“Oh, yes, just about,” laughed the other, “and then we’ll see whether you care for us or not.”

Meanwhile Uli had paid the account, ordered the horse hitched up, and now filled all the glasses and pressed them to drink a farewell glass.  Now the host came in with an extra bottle and said he wanted to do something too and not have his drinks all paid for.  He was glad that they had been with him and he would be willing to put up a bottle of his best every Friday if such couples would come to be married; he had had his joy of them.  When he heard that the bill had been paid, Johannes insisted that the host bring another bottle at his expense; and the stars were shining in the sky when, after a most affectionate farewell, such as unrelated people seldom bid one another, the spirited Blackie swiftly pulled a happy couple away—­toward Paradise.

Yes, dear Reader, Freneli and Uli are in Paradise—­that is, they live in unclouded love, blessed by God with four boys and two girls; they live in growing prosperity, for the blessing of God is their luck; their name has good repute in the land, and far and wide they stand in high esteem; for their aspiration is high, so high as to try to write their names in Heaven.  But not in a day, but after many a severe conflict did they reach the level road and become certain of the goal.