other, "as soon as the winter was over, and the primroses began to
open their pale yellow stars, the Miller said to his wife that he
would go down and see little Hans.

"'Why, what a good heart you have'! cried his Wife; 'you are always
thinking of others. And mind you take the big basket with you for
the flowers.'

"So the Miller tied the sails of the windmill together with a
strong iron chain, and went down the hill with the basket on his
arm.

"'Good morning, little Hans,' said the Miller.

"'Good morning,' said Hans, leaning on his spade, and smiling from
ear to ear.

"'And how have you been all the winter?' said the Miller.

"'Well, really,' cried Hans, 'it is very good of you to ask, very
good indeed. I am afraid I had rather a hard time of it, but now
the spring has come, and I am quite happy, and all my flowers are
doing well.'

"'We often talked of you during the winter, Hans,' said the Miller,
'and wondered how you were getting on.'

"'That was kind of you,' said Hans; 'I was half afraid you had
forgotten me.'