n his door-way, and then came out and stood watching her
at her work.

"I am always surprised, Blasi," said Judith, looking up from her work, "to
see you in company with a fellow, who steals your money from your pockets,
before you know it is there. I would not have anything to do with such a
one."

"What? who?" asked Blasi, fumbling in his empty pockets. "Who picks my
pockets? Who are you talking about? I know I did have some; I wish you
would tell me the thief."

"I'll tell no tales," said Judith, working away.

"Bah! tell me, won't you? A fellow can't defend himself unless he knows
who is attacking him," growled Blasi. "You might say who you mean."

"Well, I will. Go and take him by the ear. His name is Idleness!" As
Judith spoke, she raised her head, and looked Blasi full in the face; then
she bent to her work again.

The lad was angry. He had hoped that he was going to get something back of
which he had been robbed, and that Judith would help him as she had been a
witness of the theft.

"Oh, what a fuss you make over a few minutes," he said crossly; "I have to
go at four o'clock to ring the bell. I think I ought to take a little from
the old man."

"I should say you took more from him than he had. It has just struck half
past two; do you know how many minutes there are in an hour and a half?"

"There's no getting along with you," said Blasi, turning away.

"Well, you get along finely without me, so go on and prosper," said Judith
quickly as the lad disappeared.

Blasi had by no means given up his project. He did not see anyone in
Gertrude's garden as he passed along. He clambered up on the lattice by
the hedge and peeped through the open window into the room. Dietrich's
mother was seated near her son; both were working steadily, the young
fellow was chattering and laughing gaily, and his mother answered and
laughed too, but they did not stop working all the while. Blasi saw
plainly that this was not the time to make his request. He would wait
until the mother had gone to the kitchen, as she was sure to do
bye-and-bye. Four o'clock came and the great business of his day was at
hand; it was time to ring the bell, and he had to go. At last when evening
came Blasi found his opportunity. He stood watching outside the door, when
suddenly Dietrich threw it open, and started off with rapid strides.

Blasi called out, "Wait, wait a minute, can't you? What's your hurry?"

Dietrich turned about.

"What do you