“Yes, yes, you are right,” said John, absorbed in thought.  “They are both crooked ways, the first the less so.  But now that we are so near home, we must make up our minds quickly.  Do you see that bare patch in the forest yonder on the hill, with the little hut on it?  And do you see the cows, which look as small as beetles?  That’s our upland pasture, that’s where I intend to put your Damie.”

Amrei cried out in amazement: 

“Good heavens!  To think where men will venture!—­But that must be good pasturing land.”

“So it is; but when father gives up the farm to me, I shall introduce more stall-feeding—­it’s the better way.  But old people are fond of retaining old customs.  But why are we chattering again?  And now that we are so near!  If I had only thought about this sooner!  My head seems on fire.”

“Only keep calm; we must think it over quietly.  I have a vague idea of a way it can be done, but it doesn’t seem quite plain yet.”

“Ah!  What do you think?”

“No, you think about it too.  Perhaps you’ll hit upon the right way yourself.  It’s a matter for you to arrange, and both of our minds are in such confusion now, that it will be a relief to us if we both hit upon a way at once.”

“Yes, I have an idea already.  In the next village but one there is a clergyman, whom I know very well, and who will give us the best advice.  But wait!  Here is a better way yet.  Suppose I stay yonder in the valley at the miller’s, and you go up to the farm and simply tell my parents the whole story.  You’ll have my mother on your side directly; and you are clever, and you’ll manage my father in no time so that you can wind him around your finger.  Yes, that is the best way.  Then we shan’t have to wait, and we shall have asked no stranger for help.  What do you think?  Is that putting too much upon you?”

“That was exactly my idea too.  So now there is no more considering to be done, no more at all.  That way shall stand as fast as if it were down in ink.  That’s the way it shall be done, and ’quick to work makes the master.’  Oh, you don’t know what a dear, good, splendid, honest fellow you are!”

“No, it’s you!  But that is all the same now, for we two are but one honest person, and so we shall remain.  Look here—­give me your hand; that yonder is our first field.  God greet thee, wifee, for now thou art at home!  And hurrah! there’s our stork flying up.  Stork! cry ‘Welcome;’ this is your new mistress!  ‘I’ll tell you more later!’ Now, Amrei, don’t be gone too long, and send some one down to me at the mill as soon as you can—­if the wagoner is at home, you’d best send him, for he can run like a hare.  There, do you see that house yonder, with the stork’s nest, and the two barns on the hillside, to the left of the wood?  There’s a linden by the house—­do you see it?”

“Yes.”

“That’s our house.  Now, come, get you down.  You can’t miss your way now.”