While he was thus happily engaged, a messenger arrived at the cottage to disturb him.  A peasant’s wife, who wished to attend a funeral desired his services, and the obliging Carl, although he protested that he had a great deal to engage his attention at home, willingly promised to go to the woman’s cottage and take care of her children until her return.  In order that his arrival at the cottage might be joyfully welcomed, he returned to his room, and commenced the manufacture of sundry whistles and as he whittled and sung verses of his own composition—­for Carl was a poet—­he occasionally cast loving glances towards the brown earthen vase.

But how was Nanna employed?  Was she reading some of her favorite books, an amusement to which she often devoted her leisure hours? or perhaps she was proceeding over the path which conducted to the spring in the meadow.  Neither.  She at present appeared perfectly satisfied with her unaccustomed listlessness, from which however she was soon aroused.

From between the trees that bordered the side of the hill, she saw a green coat emerge, which when it reached the plain made its way towards the little fountain beneath the tree.

The wearer of the coat, who was the young man who had carried the knapsack and had called Nanna his little naiad, a term which he supposed she did not understand, cast himself upon the grass near the trunk of the tree.  Perhaps he was expecting some one.

For a few moments Nanna stood undecidedly upon the threshold of the door.  Her inclinations drew her towards the spring; but her modesty cautioned her to remain.

Why had she so long postponed her usual walk on this particular occasion?  She had not expected any one.  Certainly not!

At length, however, she seized her bonnet and hastened from the room.

CHAPTER V.

The first Disappointment.

Nanna had arrived at the bottom step of the flight of stairs, when she encountered Magde who was returning from a visit at a neighbor’s house.  She had walked fast, and her face was crimson with heat and vexation.  When Magde first saw the young girl, she drew her bonnet close around her face, intending to enter the house as quickly as Nanna wished to depart; but when Nanna had reached the threshold she exclaimed: 

“Where are you going?”

“To take a little walk,” replied Nanna.

“Be careful, Nanna,” said Magde seriously, “you will soon be a young woman.”

“And why should that affect you so?” replied Nanna, astonished at Magde’s caution.

“O, only that poor women who wish to preserve their fair fame, are not allowed to go out when they choose.”

“What did you say?”

“I say that the sun, earth, water, trees, and flowers, are made only for the rich, who can admire them from their fine carriages and pleasure yachts.”