As they walked home, they discussed for the hundredth time the
impossibility of getting five florins; they could not save that sum in
six months. "There is nothing to be done unless Herr Dahn would lend it
to us," suggested Stephan. "We could pay him by degrees, and he is so
rich that I dare say he would be satisfied with that."

"I have thought of asking him," replied the mother, "and, even if he
refuses, he will do so kindly."

As she spoke, they saw the important little gentleman coming out of a
house, and hastened to overtake him. He greeted them with the extreme
politeness so noticeable among all classes in Bavaria, even in the
remote villages. After hearing the widow's request, he stood musing a
minute, looked up and down the street, took off his hat, and polished
his bald head, ejaculating the usual "So! so!" then, as if a bright
thought had cleared up all doubts, he said: "Now, don't you think it
would be pleasanter and more independent if you gave something in
exchange for the five florins? Something that can be of no use to
yourself--your husband's tools, for instance? I will give you a fair
price,--enough to pay for this unlucky goat, and something over for a
rainy day. But, my good woman, what's the matter?" he added, seeing
tears in her eyes and Stephan eagerly clutching her arm, as if to get
her away.

"Nothing, sir, nothing; you are quite right; I had forgotten the tools
would bring money; but you must excuse me if I do not decide till
to-morrow, for my boy here has set his heart on being a guitar and
zither maker, like his poor father, and always fancies he would work
better with those tools."