Gritlis Children | Page 4

such a luxury
is possible. The flower-garden is a source of pleasure to the whole
family; but the vegetable-garden is her own, so to speak; she cares for it
herself; she watches each little plant with her own eyes, and removes
each encroaching weed with her own hands. Now this year the
cauliflowers were of unusually fine promise, and they excited the hopes

of their owner that a wonderful harvest would before long reward her
care; not a trace of a noxious worm was as yet to be detected.
"Good evening," said some one from the other side of the hedge; "your
vegetables are always the best and the most forward of any in the
neighborhood; they show the care you take of them."
The doctor's wife came nearer to the hedge, and over the low barrier
Heiri, the day-laborer, stretched his hand, stained and knotted with
work, to clasp that of his old friend and schoolmate. How often had he
been to her for counsel and aid since those school-days, and when had
that willing and helpful hand ever failed him?
"How are you all at home, Heiri?" she asked heartily. "Have you plenty
of work? Are your wife and children well?"
"Yes, yes, thank God!" replied Heiri, as he lifted his heavy tools from
his shoulder and set them on the ground. "There is work enough; I am
just taking these tools to be sharpened. I have to keep hard at it, for the
family is growing big."
"The three little boys look finely; I saw them go by yesterday with
Elsli," continued the doctor's wife. "But Elsli herself looks quite too
pale and delicate. Do not forget how her mother died, Heiri. The little
girl ought not to have too much to do; she is not strong, and she is
growing too fast. Do take it in time, Heiri; you know by sad experience
how rapidly disease gains ground when it has once got hold of a young
girl."
"Yes, yes, I can never forget that. It was terrible to see how quickly
Gritli sank,--and she so young, so young! Marget is a good wife and an
industrious woman; but nothing will ever make me forget my poor
Gritli"; and Heiri wiped away a few tears with his hard hand.
Tears were also in the eyes of the doctor's wife, as she said, "Neither
can I ever forget her, nor how gladly she would have lived for you and
the children, nor how quickly it was all over. Elsli is the very image of
her mother, Heiri, and I cannot help fearing that she is working beyond

her strength."
"She's a poor, thin little creature, to be sure," said Heiri; "and it strikes
me, now and then, that she is delicate; but usually she is so quiet that I
don't take much notice of her. Now, the boy is much more like his
mother; he's always busy about something, especially about keeping
things clean. He can't abide dirt, any more than Gritli could, and he is
always at the little ones to make them come and be washed at the spout.
Of course the little boys won't stand that, and they set up a scream, and
then out comes their mother, and there's a grand row! I scarcely ever
come home at night that Marget doesn't come complaining of the boy
for plaguing the younger children. She wants me to punish him, but
when the little fellow stands up before me, and looks straight into my
eyes with such a look of his mother about him, I cannot bring myself to
strike him. Then Marget is vexed and begins to scold, and I do not like
to vex her, for she works hard and means all right. I have often thought
that perhaps you, Mrs. Stein, would speak a word for me to Marget
about punishing the boy; for anything from you would have great
weight with her."
"Certainly I will, with pleasure. But tell me about Elsli; is Marget kind
to her?"
"Well, this is how it is,"--and Heiri drew a little nearer the hedge and
spoke in a confidential tone--"the little girl is more like me, and gives
in easily and is not obstinate about having her own way, as her poor
mother was. She does what she is bid, and never answers back when
Marget scolds, nor ever complains, though she has to work from the
time she gets home from school till she goes to bed; always carrying
the baby, or doing something about the house."
"But you must not let her do too much, Heiri," said Mrs. Stein seriously.
"I am very anxious about her. Ask Marget to come over and see me:
tell her I have some clothes which my children have out-grown,