"Either she takes me, and I am a lucky man, or she takes me not, and I start without a wife." "But have you ever thought of it before ?" inquired Anton, uneasily.
"Sometimes--indeed often during the last year.

She is the best housewife, and the noblest, most unselfish creature in the world." Anton looked at his friend in growing astonishment.

Not once had Fink given him the remotest hint of such a thing.
"But you never told me of it." "Have you ever told me of your feelings for another young lady ?" replied Fink, laughing.
Anton blushed and was silent.
"I think," continued Fink, "that she does not dislike me; but whether she will go with me or not I can not tell; however, we shall soon know, for I am going at once to ask her." Anton barred the way.

"Once more I implore you to reflect upon what you are going to do." "What is there to reflect upon, you simple child ?" laughed Fink; but an unusual degree of excitement was visible in his manner.
"Do you then love Sabine ?" asked Anton.
"Another of your home questions," replied Fink.

"Yes, I do love her in my own way." "And do you mean to take her into the back woods ?" "Yes; for she will be a high-hearted, strong-minded wife, and will give stability and worth to my life there.