In the third he amused himself by
doing needle-work.
His wife, on the other hand, devoted herself to the farm, pinned up
her skirts to the knees and went into the stables. She came into the
house dirty, and smelling of the cow-shed. She felt well and ordered
the labourers about that it was a pleasure to hear her, for she had
grown up in the country and knew what she was about.
When her husband complained of having nothing to do, she laughed at
him.
"Find some occupation in the house. No one need ever be idle in a
house like this."
He would have liked to suggest some outside occupation, but he had not
the courage.
He ate, slept, and went for walks. If he happened to enter the barn or
the stables, he was sure to be in the way and be scolded by his wife.
One day, when he had grumbled more than usual, while the children had
been running about, neglected by the nurse, she said:
"Why don't you look after the children? That would give you something
to do."
He stared at her. Did she really mean it?
"Well, why shouldn't he look after the children? Was there anything
strange in her suggestion?"
He thought the matter over and found nothing strange in it. Henceforth
he took the children for a walk every day.
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