When she came back she held in her hands a small iron-bound box, which seemed to be very heavy for its size.
"Well," she asked in her clear, sharp tones, "and what is going to be done next ?" "O madam, I am going to him.

I can do naught else," answered Gertrude, whose face was like an April morning, all smiles and tears blended together.

"I cannot let him lie wanting me and wearying for me." "Humph! I thought you had shown yourself a girl of spirit, and had sent him about his business when he came a-wooing, eh ?" "O madam, I did so.

I thought that duty bid me; but I have repented so bitterly since! They say that 'twas since then he fell into the melancholy which was like to make him fall ill of the distemper.
Oh, if he were to die, I should feel his blood on my head.

I should never hold it up again.