"That was not to have been found until after I was dead; but it is better so--he'll get it now and think it came from you. This whole affair is out of the common way, so that it can easily be added that you had a secret sum of money. But don't forget that there are also thirty-two feather-thalers in it, which are worth a grosschen each more than ordinary thalers. Take good care of it--put it in the chest where your linen is, and always keep the key with you. And on Sunday, when the entire family is assembled, pour it out on the table." "I don't like to do that. I think John ought to do that, if it is necessary to do it at all." "It is necessary. But if you like, John may do it--but sh! put it out of sight!--quickly! Hide it in your apron, for I hear John coming! I think he is jealous." And the two parted in haste. And that very evening the mother took Amrei up into the attic, and out of a drawer drew forth a tolerably heavy bag. The cord which held it together was tied and knotted in a remarkable manner. She said to Amrei: "There--untie that!" Amrei tried, but it was hard work. "Wait! I'll get a pair of shears and we'll cut it open!" "No," objected Amrei. "I don't like to do that! Just have a little patience, mother, I'll undo it all right!" The mother smiled; and Amrei, with great difficulty, but with a skilful hand, finally got the cord untied. Then the old woman said: "Good! That's fine! Now look at what's inside of it." Amrei looked in and saw a quantity of gold and silver coins. Then the mother went on to say: "Look you, child, you have wrought a miracle upon the Farmer. Even now I can't understand how he came to give in--but you have not entirely converted him yet. My husband is always talking about it, saying what a pity it is that you have nothing of your own. He can't get over it, and keeps thinking that you must have a neat little sum tucked away somewhere, and that you are deceiving us about it, merely to find out if we are content to take you as you are. He won't let himself be talked out of that notion, and so I hit upon an idea. God will not impute it to us as a sin. Look--this is what I have saved during the thirty-six years my husband and I have kept house together. There was no deception about it, and some of it I inherited from my mother anyway. But now you take it and say it is your property. It will make the Farmer very happy, especially since he was clever enough to suspect it beforehand. Why do you look at me in such a confused way? Believe me when I tell you that you may do it--there is no wrong in it, for I have thought it over time and again. Now, go and hide it, and don't say a word against it--not a single word. Don't thank me or do anything--for it's the same to me whether my child gets it now or later, and it will please my husband while he's yet alive. And now, quick!--tie it up again!"