primitive spot, where people usually rise at four or five and go to bed
at eight. No one had seen the goat, but almost all blamed his
carelessness, so that he was too unhappy to sleep, especially as he
could not forget how distressed his poor mother looked, knowing, as she
did, that somehow or other she must pay the value of the goat, though
how such a sum was to be earned was beyond guessing.

A week passed, nothing was heard of the strayed one; Stephan had
searched every possible spot up the mountain, and inquired of every
person he met coming from the neighboring villages or beyond the
frontier of the Tyrol,--but all in vain. A report had spread in the
valley that he had lamed the goat with a stone, and so caused it to fall
over a precipice. Many people believed this, which greatly increased the
unhappiness of Stephan and his mother, though he had denied the charge
most positively.

"I, at least, believe you, my son," said his mother, one day, when
Bridgetta was present. "You never told me a lie, and I thank God for my
truthful child, more than for all else."

"You can believe what you like," said Bridgetta, angrily; "but, as your
boy has lost my goat, and as I am poor, and have already waited longer
than I can afford, I must ask you to pay me by to-morrow evening, so
that I may buy another, for you forget that I have done without milk all
these days."

"No, I do not forget," said the widow, sadly. "I will do my best to get
the money for you. It is right you should have your own, and you know I
would have paid you at once had it been in my power. I will, however,
see what I can do by to-morrow, so good-night."