"
Such a trifle did not discourage Stineli. "Perhaps we have enough
without that, and my grandmother will give me some more soon," she said
consolingly. "You know, Rico, a fiddle can't cost so very much; it is
nothing but a bit of old wood with four strings stretched across it,
that will be cheap, I'm sure. You must ask the teacher about it
to-morrow morning, and then we will try to find one."
So it was settled, and Stineli resolved to do all she could at home to
make herself useful by getting up bright and early, and making the fire
before her mother was afoot, thinking that, if she worked busily from
morning till night, perhaps her grandmother would put a bit of money for
her in the bag.
After school the next day Stineli went out and waited alone behind the
wood-pile at the schoolhouse corner, for Rico had made up his mind at
last to ask the teacher how much it would cost to buy a fiddle. He was
such a long time about it, that Stineli kept peeping out from behind the
wood-pile, quite overcome with impatience, but only saw the other school
children who were standing about and playing; but now certainly,--yes,
that was Rico who came around the corner.
"What did he say? How much does it cost?" cried Stineli, almost
breathless with suspense.
"I had not the courage to ask," was the sad answer.
"Oh, what a shame!" said the girl, and stood still and disappointed for
a moment, but not more.
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