emed to enhance the flavour of my rest. I was too
much of an animal just then to have my sympathy, or even my curiosity,
strongly excited by her look of sad remembrance, or by her sighs.

After a while she gave a little start, looked at a watch lying by her
on the table, and came, shading the candle by her hand, softly to my
bedside. When she saw my open eyes she went to a porringer placed at the
top of the stove, and fed me with soup. She did not speak while doing
this. I was half aware that she had done it many times since the doctor's
visit, although this seemed to be the first time that I was fully awake.
She passed her arm under the pillow on which my head rested, and raised
me a very little; her support was as firm as a man's could have been.
Again back to her work, and I to my slumbers, without a word being
exchanged.

It was broad daylight when I wakened again; I could see the sunny
atmosphere of the garden outside stealing in through the nicks at the
side of the shawl hung up to darken the room--a shawl which I was sure
had not been there when I had observed the window in the night. How
gently my nurse must have moved about while doing her thoughtful act!

My breakfast was brought me by the hostess; she who had received me on
my first arrival at this hospitable inn. She meant to do everything
kindly, I am sure; but a sick room was not her place; by a thousand
little mal-adroitnesses she fidgeted me past bearing; her shoes
creaked, her dress rustled; she asked me questions about myself which
it irritated me to answer; she congratulated me on being so much better,
while I was faint for want of the food which she delayed giving me in
order to talk. My host had more sense in him when he came in, although
his shoes creaked as well as hers. By this time I was somewhat revived,
and could talk a little; besides, it seemed churlish to be longer
without acknowledging so much kindness received.

"I am afraid I have been a great trouble," said I. "I can only say that
I am truly grateful."

His good broad face reddened, and he moved a little uneasily.

"I don't see how I could have done otherwise than I----than we, did,"
replied he, in the soft German of the district. "We were all glad enough
to do what we could; I don't say it was a pleasure, because it is our
busiest time of year,--but then," said he, laughing a little awkwardly,
as if he feared his expression might have been misunderstood, "I don't
suppose it has b