"When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you."

The door opened, and a young woman came out with a small tin pail in her
hand. At sight of Rupert she gave a startled cry and backed to the door.
Just then the young farmer passed through the shanty and explained that
it was only a "traveler" warming himself. The young woman looked
steadily at Rupert. The fire shone out from the open door of the stove,
and the light danced on the rough board walls, throwing a halo of red
around the girl.

"What a sweet picture," instantly thought Rupert.

Then she slowly advanced again, and, instead of pouring the contents of
the pail into a larger dish as was her errand, she placed it on the
table by Rupert, and said, smilingly:

"Vil you have a drink of varm milk?"

"Thank you, thank you."

Then she went back.