He would not probably need her
longer than that, and then she must come back; for there was a great
deal of work on hand against the spring.
"Yes, yes," said his wife. "I have no mind to begin it all over again
teaching her, it has given me so much trouble already. If Andrew wants
anybody to help him, let him get somebody for himself."
"Well, well; for two weeks, as I have promised, she shall go. It is our
duty to help a neighbor, if we can."
"I thank you for your kindness," said Mrs. Ritter, rising. "And Andrew
will himself show his gratitude. May I take Wiseli with me at once?"
Although his wife grumbled out that there could not be any such hurry,
her husband said it was better the child should go at once. The sooner
she went, the more quickly she would be back again; and repeated that it
was only for fourteen days in all.
Wiseli was called, and told to get her clothes together, and tied in a
bundle. The child obeyed, not daring to ask for a reason. It was exactly
a year since she had brought the little bundle into the house. Nothing
had been added to her scanty wardrobe in that time but a black frock.
She wore that now, but it had been so long in use, that it hung about
her almost in rags; and Wiseli looked shyly at Mrs. Ritter as she stood
before her now, with her little bundle on her arm. The colonel's wife
understood the look, and answered it.
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