called out, "Well, Crescenz, how is your friend
the locksmith? Will he soon be filing his own iron?" "Oh," she answered
without stopping, "that iron is still growing deep in the mountain."

"She is a good goose," said the tinsmith. "For a long time she kept
house for her stepfather, and took care of him when he was ill; but
after he died it came out that he had spent all her money. Since that
she has lived with her uncle, and she is a treasure, in the shop, in the
inn, and with the children. There is a fine young apprentice who would
have liked to marry her long ago, but there is a hitch somewhere."

"How so? Has he nothing to live on?"

"They both have saved a little, but not enough. Now comes word of a good
situation and a part of a house in Ghent. Her uncle could easily lend
them the little money that they need, but of course he will not let her
go. He has good friends in the council and in the union, and the young
fellow is meeting with all sorts of difficulties."

"The wretches!" cried Mozart, so loud that the other looked around
anxiously, fearing that they might have been overheard. "And is there no
one who could speak the right word or show those fellows a fist? The
villains! We will get the best of them yet."

The tinker was on thorns. He tried, clumsily enough, to moderate his
statements, and almost contradicted himself. But Mozart would not
listen. "Shame on you, how you chatter! That's just the way with all of
you as soon as you have to answer for anything!" And with that he turned
on his heel and left the astonished tinker. He hastened to the girl, who
was busy with new guests: "Come early tomorrow, and give my respects to
your good friend. I hope that your affairs will prosper." She was too
busy and too much surprised to thank him.

He retraced his way to the city at a quick pace, for the incident had
stirred his blood. Wholly occupied with the affairs of the poor young
couple, he ran over in his mind a list of his friends and acquaintances
who might be able to help them. Then, since it was necessary to have
more particulars from the girl before he could decide upon any step, he
dismissed the subject from his thoughts and hastened eagerly toward
home.

He confidently expected a more than cordial welcome and a kiss at the
door, and longing redoubled his haste. Presently the postman called to
him and handed him a small but heavy parcel, which was addressed in a
fair clear hand which he at once recogn