“Ah, your Ladyship, what could I be going to do?  Nothing.  Honestly and truly, I should like to sit here and wait till I fall over dead. * * ”

“I want to ask you something, Roswitha.  Are you fond of children?  Have you ever taken care of little children?”

“Indeed I have.  That is the best and finest thing about me. * * * When a dear little thing stands up in one’s lap, a darling little creature like a doll, and looks at one with its little peepers, that, I tell you, is something that opens up one’s heart. * * ”

“Now let me tell you, Roswitha, you are a good true person; I can tell it by your looks.  A little bit unceremonious, but that doesn’t hurt; it is often true of the best people, and I have had confidence in you from the beginning.  Will you come along to my house?  It seems as though God had sent you to me.  I am expecting a little one soon, and may God help me at the time.  When the child comes it must be cared for and waited upon and perhaps even fed from a bottle, though I hope not.  But one can never tell.  What do you say?  Will you come?”

Roswitha sprang up, seized the hand of the young wife and kissed it fervently.  “Oh, there is indeed a God in heaven, and when our need is greatest help is nearest.  Your Ladyship shall see, I can do it.  I am an orderly person and have good references.  You can see for yourself when I bring you my book.  The very first time I saw your Ladyship I thought:  ‘Oh, if I only had such a mistress!’ And now I am to have her.  O, dear God, O, holy Virgin Mary, who would have thought it possible, when we had put the old woman in her grave and the relatives made haste to get away and left me sitting here?”

“Yes, it is the unexpected that often happens, Roswitha, and occasionally for our good.  Let us go now.  Rollo is getting impatient and keeps running down to the gate.”

Roswitha was ready at once, but went back to the grave, mumbled a few words and crossed herself.  Then they walked down the shady path and back to the churchyard gate. * * *

CHAPTER XIV

In less than a quarter of an hour the house was reached.  As they stepped into the cool hall * * * Effi said:  “Now, Roswitha, you go in there.  That is our bedroom.  I am going over to the district councillor’s office to tell my husband that I should like to have you as a nurse for the baby.  He will doubtless agree to it, but I must have his consent.  Then when I have it we must find other quarters for him and you will sleep with me in the alcove * * ”

When Innstetten learned the situation he said with alacrity:  “You did the right thing, Effi, and if her testimonials are not too bad we will take her on her good face * * ”

Effi was very happy to have encountered so little difficulty, and said:  “Now it will be all right.  Now I am no longer afraid * * ”