“You cannot carry them, my child,” said Mrs. Stein, “it is enough for you to take the boys home.  Tell your mother that I have something to say to her; and when she comes to see me, she can carry the clothes home.”

“Don’t you care to eat the bread and apple, Elsli?” asked the aunt, noticing that the girl put the apple into her pocket, and held the bread in her hand.

Elsli blushed, as if she were guilty of a breach of good manners, and said, timidly:—­

“I should like to take them home to Fani; he will not get any supper to-night.”

“It is very nice of you to take it to him,” said Mrs. Stein kindly, “but why will he not have his supper?”

“We have done supper at home, and we ate up everything, all the sour milk and potatoes, for there was not a great deal; and father said those who are not there at supper-time are not hungry, and can go without But I know that Fani is hungry, only he is busy about something, and forgets that it is time for supper.”

“Where is he?  Does he never help you with all these heavy children?”

“No, he is never allowed to help with the children.  Mother says he’s of no use; he only makes the children naughtier, and he’d better keep out of the way.  So he does keep out of the way, and half the time doesn’t get any supper, and I can’t keep any for him.  But he is always good and kind to me.  When he does come home he writes my exercises for me; for I never can get time for my lessons, I am so busy all the evening, till mother comes and takes the lamp, and I go to bed.”

“It’s Fani’s own fault if he doesn’t come home in time for supper,” said aunty.  “And you never will learn anything, my child, if he always does your lessons for you.”

Elsli turned very red, and her big blue eyes filled with tears.

“I know it.  I am the stupidest and most backward scholar in the whole school.”

“No, you’re not stupid at all,” cried Fred eagerly.  “It is only that you never know the things that we have to learn by heart.  And, now that I know why, I should just like to catch any one laughing at you again!  They’d better try it!”

Elsli was seldom merry and lighthearted, like other girls of her age; she was too much weighed down with care and hard work.  She looked gratefully at Fred for his kind confidence; but no real joy came into her worn face.  She stood up presently and took up her burden again, for Hanseli had given several signs that he was ready to start for home, and wanted her to carry him.  The two ladies stood at the door, and watched her as she walked away with slow and weary steps.

“Ah! how I wish that some ray of sunshine could come into that sweet girl’s lot!” exclaimed the doctor’s wife, and her sister was responding with the same thought, when the sound of noisy voices was heard, which became louder and louder, as Emma came running through the garden, a brother on each side, and both accosting her in vehement tones.