"We are planting a rose-bush," said the boy, undaunted.

The Emperor smiled, and said, "What is your name?"

"Hans Le Fevre, sir."

"And the little one, is she your sister?"

"No, she is Marie, our neighbor's child."

"Ah!--you like each other very much?"

"Yes, when I'm old enough, and when I own a knife, I'm going to marry
her."

The Emperor opened his eyes wide, and said, "Why do you need a knife?"

"Surely," answered the boy, earnestly, "if I have no knife I cannot cut,
and if I cannot cut I can earn no money. My mother has always said that
without money one cannot marry. Besides, I should have to have much
money to enable me to marry my little friend Marie, as she is the
Counselor's daughter."

"But," questioned the Emperor, "what do you want to cut?"

"Wood!"

"Ha! ha! I understand. You want to be a wood-carver. Now, I remember
that I once met two young boys, named Le Fevre. They were studying in