It had always been Gertrude's plan to have Veronica learn to work at the
saddler's business, as there is a good deal of the fine work which is
suitable for women, and which it needs a woman's hand to carry out. She
hoped that in this way her children could always remain together and with
her. The fine embroidery for which lame Sabina was noted, it did not seem
to her at all necessary for Veronica to learn, but she was willing to
leave the decision to her. As soon as Veronica heard of this new work to
be learned, she was eager to begin upon it, and she left her mother no
peace until she extracted from her the promise that directly after the
confirmation, this new undertaking should be entered upon.

A few days after Easter Sunday, Veronica went to take her first lesson. It
was very early in the morning when she started to go down to Fohrensee; so
early that people were just beginning to open their windows, and only here
and there a sleepy face was to be seen at the door of a house. She had to
go early in order to get in a good day's work, for she was to come home at
night, and it was an hour's walk each way. She knew well the old cottage
with the beautiful carnations illuminating its windows, which was the home
of lame Sabina. The windows were already open, and the door also. She
entered and her new life began.

Up in Tannenegg, Dietrich sat at his work, singing and whistling merrily.
His mother, busy with her household affairs went hither and thither about
the house, from sitting room to kitchen, and then with the feeding-bucket,
out on the grass plat before the house, where a flock of handsome fowl
were pecking about. All was still quiet in the neighboring houses, but
over by the well stood the never-idle Judith, beating and turning her
clothes as she washed them. Along the road with uncertain steps came the
old sexton, swinging the big church-keys in his hand; he had been ringing