Frau Elsbeth did not thank her, but the tearful glance she gave the stranger was thanks enough.
“Now be cheerful again, dearest Mrs. Meyerhofer,” she continued, “and if in future you need advice or help, always remember that there is some one who has to make amends to you for much--And what a splendid baby!”--she turned towards the cradle--“a boy or a little girl?”
“A boy,” said Frau Elsbeth, with a feeble smile.
“Has he found any brothers or sisters already? But why do I ask? The two little stalwart fellows outside, who received my carriage--may I hope to know them better? No, not here,” she interposed, quickly; “it might excite you still more. Later on, later on. This little citizen of the world interests us most for the moment.”
She bent over the cradle and arranged the baby-clothes.
“He has quite a knowing little face,” she said, jestingly.
“Care stood at his cradle,” answered Frau Elsbeth, gently and sadly; “that’s why he has that old face.”
“Oh, you must not be superstitious, dear friend,” answered the visitor. “I have been told that newborn babes often have something old in their features; they soon lose that.”
“Surely you, too, have children?” asked Frau Elsbeth.
“Oh, I am still such a young wife,” answered her visitor, blushing. “Scarcely six months married. But--” and she blushed still more.
“God be with you in your time of trouble,” said Frau Elsbeth; “I will pray for you.”
The stranger’s eyes grew moist. “Thanks, a thousand thanks,” she said. “And let us be friends, I entreat you, with all my heart. Shall I propose something? Take me as godmother for your youngest child, and do me the same favor when Heaven blesses me.”
The two women pressed each other’s hands silently. The bond of friendship was sealed.
When the visitor had left her, Frau Elsbeth looked round with a shy, sad look. “Just now everything here was bright and sunny,” she murmured, “and now it has become so dark again.”
After a short time, in spite of the nurse’s opposition, the two eldest boys rushed into the sickroom with joyful clamor. Each had a bag with sweets in his hand.
“The strange lady has given us this,” they shouted.
Frau Elsbeth smiled. “Hush, children,” she said, “an angel has been with us.”
