, and that pleased me much."

Anton nodded. "We neither of us were very sure about it, and Karl had to
decide."

"What do you mean? You paid for her, and I gave her her first hay,
consequently she belongs to us both. Just look at this lovely black
calf. Mr. Sturm threatens to paint its ears red, that it may look a
perfect little demon." She knelt down beside it, stroked and hugged it,
then suddenly starting up, she cried, "I don't know why I should make so
much of it; it is mine no longer; it belongs to somebody else." Yet
there was mirth in her tone of pretended regret. "Come to the pony now,"
she said; "my poor little fellow! He has grown old since the day when I
rode after you through our garden."

Anton caressed the favorite, who turned his head now to him, now to
Lenore.

"Do you know how it happened that I met you on the pony?" said Lenore to
Anton over its back. "It was no accident. I had seen you sitting under
the shrubs. I can tell you so to-day; and I had thought, 'Heavens! what
a handsome youth! I will have a good look at him.' And that's how it
happened as it did."

"Yes," said Anton; "then came the strawberries, then the lake. I stood
there and swallowed the strawberries, and was rather inclined to tears;
but through it all my heart was full of delight in you, who rose before
me so fair and majestic. I see you still in fluttering muslin garments,
with short sleeves, a golden bracelet on your white arm."

"Where is the bracelet gone?" asked Lenore, gravely, leaning her head on
the pony's mane. "You sold it, you naughty Wohlfart!" The tears stood in
her eyes, and she stretched out both hands to him over the pony's back.
"Anton, we could not remain children. My heart's friend, farewell!
Adieu, girlish dreams! adieu, bright spring-time! I must now learn to go
through the world without my guardian. I will not disgrace you," she
continued, more calmly. "I will always be steady, and a good
housekeeper. And I will be economical. I will keep the book with three
long lines down its sides once more, and put every thing down. We shall
need to be saving even in trifles, Wohlfart. Alas! poor mother!" And she
wrung her hands, and looked sad again.

"Come out into the country," suggested Anton; "if you like it, let us go
into the woods."

"Not to the woods, not to the forester's," said Lenore, solemnly, "but
to the new farm; I will go with you."

They walked across the fields. "You must lead me to-day," said Len