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, b