The mother smiled and said: "Oh child, your thoughts are far-fetched, but you're right, for all." "My Hansei's a real steady man," continued Walpurga. "That he is," answered the mother, with joyful mien. "He doesn't talk as much as others do, but when it comes to a pinch, he knows what he has to do and how to do it, and that's just the way your blessed father was. You're very lucky to find this out so soon after the birth of your first child. I didn't know it till after my third, or, indeed, till I'd lost all my children except yourself." "Good-day to you all!" suddenly said a little needy-looking man. "Why, it's Peter!" cried the grandmother; "you here already? That's good. And is this your daughter? What's her name?" "Gundel." "God greet you both," said the grandmother, who kept wetting and wiping her hand again and again, before offering it to her brother. The little man's features expressed great surprise. It was long since any one had been so glad to see him; but, of course, he had come to a house that was overflowing with joy. The grandmother took her brother by the hand, and led him toward the house. She felt sad when she looked at the poor little man, for his appearance betokened great poverty. She forthwith gave her brother and her niece something to eat. When they had finished, she took Gundel out to the wash-tub by the lake. "Just work there till dinner-time, and then you'll know where you belong." She went back to her brother and again bade him welcome. The little man complained that life went hard with him. The grandmother went into the other room with Walpurga, and asked her: "How much money did you mean to give me for my journey home?" "As much as you want." "No.--Tell me how much." "Would ten florins be enough?" "More than enough. Give them to me at once." Walpurga gave her a ten florin piece and said: "Mother, I haven't given you a present since I came back." She gave her mother several florins in addition to the ten which she had already handed her, and said: "Take this and give it away. I know that your greatest pleasure is in giving to others." "Oh, my child! you know me well. Oh God! I can now give something to others; that's the best thing in the world. You see, I've never been able to do anything for the poor." "Don't say that, mother; how often you've watched, day and night, by the sick." "That's nothing; that's not money." "It's far better than money."