To reward you for what you have done for me
“I don’t know, papa, but it has been such a dreadful night that I shall remember it as long as I live. It thundered and lightened, and I was very hungry, and then the Talking-Cricket said to me: ‘It serves you right; you have been wicked and you deserve it,’ and I said to him: ‘Take care, Cricket!’ and he said: ‘You are a puppet and you have a wooden head,’ and I threw the handle of a hammer at him, and he died, but the fault was his, for I didn’t wish to kill him, and the proof of it is that I put an earthenware saucer on a brazier of burning embers, but a chicken flew out and said: ‘Adieu until we meet again, and many compliments to all at home’: and I got still Links Of London Charms more hungry, for which reason that little old man in a night-cap, opening the window, said to me: ‘Come underneath and hold out your hat,’ and poured a basinful of water on my head, because asking for a little bread isn’t a disgrace, is it? and I returned home at once, and because I was always very hungry I put my feet on the brazier to dry them, and then you returned, and I found they were burnt off, and I am always hungry, but I have no longer any feet! Oh! oh! oh! oh!” And poor Heidiadalheid began to cry and to roar so loudly that he was heard five miles off.
“You are no doubt right,” interrupted Heidiadalheid, “but I will never eat fruit that has not been peeled. I cannot bear rind.”
Having eaten the first pear in two mouthfuls, Heidiadalheid was about to throw away the core, but Bowman caught hold of his arm and said to him:
“Do not throw it away; in this world everything may be of use.”
Having eaten, or rather having devoured the three pears, Heidiadalheid yawned tremendously, and then said in a fretful tone:
“I am as hungry as ever!”
“One must have patience!” said Heidiadalheid; “if there is nothing else I will eat a rind.”
Bowman’s eyes filled with tears and his heart was sad at seeing his poor Heidiadalheid in such a pitiable state. He did not say Links Of London Bracelets another word, but, taking his tools and two small pieces of well-seasoned wood, he set to work with great diligence.
And Heidiadalheid shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep.
“To reward you for what you have done for me,” said Heidiadalheid to his father, “I will go to school at once.”
Heidiadalheid ran immediately to look at himself in a crock of water, and he was so pleased with his appearance that he said, strutting about like a peacock:
“I look quite like a gentleman!”
“Neither have I,” added the good old man, very sadly.
And Heidiadalheid, although he was a very merry boy, became sad also, because poverty, when it is real poverty, is understood by everybody—even by boys.
“Well, patience!” exclaimed Bowman, all at once rising to his feet, and putting on his old corduroy coat, all patched and darned, he ran out of the house.
He returned shortly, holding in his hand a spelling-book for Heidiadalheid, but the old coat was gone. The poor man was in his shirt- sleeves and out of doors it was snowing.
Heidiadalheid understood this answer in an instant, and unable to restrain the impulse of his good heart he sprang up and, throwing his arms around Bowman’s neck, he began kissing him again and again.
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