the early morning peal. As he lifted his cap a little to salute Judith at
the well, she called out,

"Good day, neighbor, I was just thinking it would be a good exchange if
the old folks were to lie abed at this hour and let the young ones pull
the bell rope."

"Well, some one must be doing it," said the other, and passed on his way.

Judith had been busy at her washing full two hours longer, when in the
doorway of the sexton's house appeared a young fellow, whose figure,
almost as broad as it was long, filled the opening, with scarce anything
to spare. He tried to yawn, but there was not room enough to stretch his
arms, so he stepped outside for the purpose, and there he gaped so
heartily that all the inside of his big mouth and throat was distinctly
visible.

"There's nothing in it, Blasi! I've had a good look at it," cried Judith.
"If you had been here two hours ago, you might have seen a sight. A girl
with a whole mouthful of gold! What do you say to that?"

Blasi caught at this, and brought his jaws together with a snap.

"What! full of gold?" he exclaimed, and opened his sleepy eyes to their
utmost extent. "Why doesn't the foolish thing carry it in her pocket?
Where does she come from?"

"That's no concern of yours. You will never come up with her," replied
Judith.