“Yes; I do think of it, and I realize it all perfectly, Fani; and I am not a bit ungrateful.  But you see I can’t express it to Mrs. Stanhope; I wish I could.  And then, besides, Fani,” she added, after a pause, “Aunt Clarissa has often told me that when we are well off ourselves, and have everything we need, and more, too, we ought to think all the more about the poor, and do what we can to help them.  And I am always thinking about them, and wishing that I could share some of the good things we enjoy with those who have none.”

“What do you mean, Elsli?” cried Fani; “there is no one about here who is poor; even the men and women-servants live like gentlefolk.  Have you never noticed that Lina, the chambermaid, wears a hat when she goes out, and a red and yellow shawl, just like Mrs. Bickel?  And what red cheeks the cook has!  She has enough to eat, I’m sure; and the coachman wears gloves when he drives.”

“Yes, I know; but I mean—­well, you see we have a great deal of time to ourselves, and can run round in the garden and amuse ourselves, and I can’t help thinking that I might be doing something useful.  I might knit some stockings for the children at home if I had some yarn, but I don’t like to ask for any; I have so many things.”

“Why, of course you can’t ask for it, Elsli; what are you thinking of?  And you know how many clothes and things Mrs. Stanhope is always sending to mother?  Only last week a big bundle went off; don’t you remember, Elsli?”

“Yes, I know all that; but what I mean is that I want to do something myself, and not go on taking my own comfort and enjoyment when so many other people are suffering.”

“But you know the doctor said you must take comfort; and he told Mrs. Stanhope not to let you sit at your books and study all the time, but to keep you a great deal in the open air.  Come, let’s run all round the big rose-bed, and draw in long breaths of that delicious perfume.  How strong it is!  I can smell it way off here.  Come!” and Fani took hold of his sister’s hand and began to run.  But she held back.

“I can’t run as you do, Fani,” she said, breathing heavily; “I would rather go down to the stone seat under the lindens by the river and sit a while.”

“Now you see, Elsli,” said Fani, as he walked slowly by her side down towards the river, “now you see how soon you get tired.  It is a good thing for you that you have this garden to stay in.  And how lovely it is down here, too! do you notice? there’s quite a different smell here, and its delicious!”

Fani was already seated on the bench, and he leaned back against the trunk of the old linden, whose head was crowned with flowers that diffused a sweet perfume through the air.  The fresh foaming waves of the river ran below, bathing the low hanging branches as they flowed along.

“Oh, how beautiful it is here!  It will do you good to shout as loud as you can, Elsli.  I’m sure it would make you feel better.”