54 . Hans Brinker

VI
SUNBEAMS

AME BRINKER was startled at her children’s emo-
tion, — glad, too, for it proved how loving and true
they were.

Beautiful ladies in princely homes often smile suddenly and
sweetly, gladdening the very air around them; but I doubt if
their smile be more welcome in God’s sight than that which
sprang forth to cheer the roughly clad boy and girl in the
humble cottage. Dame Brinker felt that she had been selfish.
Blushing and brightening, she hastily wiped her eyes, and
looked upon them as only a mother can.

“ Hoity, toity! Pretty talk we’re having, and St. Nicholas
Eve almost here! What wonder the yarn pricks my fingers!
Come, Gretel, take this cent ;1 and, while Hans is trading for
the skates, you can buy a waffle in the market-place.”
said Gretel, looking

+ 3

“¢ Let me stay home with you, mother,’
up with eyes that sparkled through their tears. ‘ Hans will
buy me the cake.”

“¢ As you will, child. And, Hans— wait a moment. Three
turns of the needle will finish this toe; and then you may
have as good a pair of hose as ever was knitted (owning the
yarn is a grain too sharp) to sell to the hosier on the Heireen
Gracht2 That will give us three quarter-guilders, if you

1 The Dutch cent is worth less than half of an American cent.
2 A street in Amsterdam.