"What! Stephan make violins? How is he ever to do that, when he spends
all his days up the mountains? Have you not told me yourself that you
cannot manage without his earnings?"

"Neither do I think we could, sir, or I should have tried it long ago,
for it is hard for him to be minding goats, when he might be earning
something to help him on in life."

"Can he do anything? Has he any taste for the work?"

"Yes, I think so; he generally works at it in the evening, and has made
several small violins for Christmas gifts to the neighbors' children.
But they are toys. Perhaps you would allow me to bring one to show you
to-morrow," she ventured to add.

"Certainly, neighbor, but I don't promise anything, mind, except about
the tools. I shall be at the warehouse at six o'clock. Be punctual.
Good-evening."

"O, mother! Don't give him the tools. Give him anything else. There's my
new green hat--my best jacket--I can easily do with the one I have on,"
said Stephan, anxiously, as he watched the receding figure of the rich
man of the village.

"My dear child! of what use could your clothes be to the gentleman? He
wants the tools. I am very sorry, but there is really nothing else of
any value, and we have no right to borrow money when we can obtain it by
the sacrifice of something we should like to keep. We must never
hesitate to perform a plain duty, however disagreeable. So, now show