Nor anything to drink but water--cold water from the well! Nor sufficient clothes to wear! For she is always to be seen in the same worn-out pink dress and frayed hair-riband--things only fit for a servant-girl to wear, and _he_ is never to be seen in anything but an artist's blouse with turned-down collar--a garment which makes him look like a tramp, and sets all the dogs barking at him. Yes, so much so that respectable people are afraid of him. Dogs never like poor people. Yesterday I saw no fewer than three dogs flying at him at once; yet he only cried, as he beat them off with his stick: "Do not you dare to tear my trousers! They are the only ones I have left!" All the time he was laughing, though the dogs were showing their teeth at him, and growling most furiously. And only to-day I saw a smart lady and gentleman so nervous at his appearance that they crossed to the other side of the road to avoid passing him. "I think he is going to beg of us," the gentleman said, and the lady exclaimed shrilly that probably he would assault them as well. So they crossed over--eyeing him carefully as they did so, and keeping a tight hold upon their pockets. But he only tossed his head and laughed. Yes, he is always in good spirits. Both of them are like that--always merry. Yes, and singing too; or, rather, he sings, and she dances to his singing, in that poor pink dress of hers and shabby riband! It is quite a pleasure to look at them, they are so youthful and handsome. All the same, I feel very, very sorry for them. At times they are almost starving. To think of it!--starving! Yes, too true. Once upon a time they had plenty of furniture and clothes; but, little by little, they have had to sell them, until now they have nothing at all left. Yes, I remember the time when she used to wear beautiful serge dresses; but now those dresses have had to go for bread. And he used to wear a fine frockcoat--the one in which he got married; but that too has had to go. In fact, the only valuables they have left to them are their wedding-rings. What poverty, to be sure! Oh, they do not care, they do not care! I too have been young, and know how one takes things at that age. What do you say, Grandfather? I say that they do not care, they do not care. See, it almost makes Grandfather sing, even to think of them! Yes, and dance too! [_There is general laughter._] And her husband is _so_ kindhearted! One day he made my little boy a bow-and-arrows. And when my little girl fell ill his wife wept almost as much as I did. And when my garden wall fell down he helped me to build it up in no time. What a fine strong fellow he is, to be sure! Yes, it is quite pleasant to have such kindly folks for neighbours. Their youthfulness helps to warm our chilly old age, and their lightheartedness to drive away our care. But this poor room of theirs looks like a prison-cell, it is so bare. Nay. Say, rather, it is like a church, it is so bright!