Page:Danish fairy and folk tales.djvu/94

 "Yes, but mama says that he has humane feelings, anyway. I don't know what that is. I heard mama say that he had once had great sorrows. Now, I don't know what that is, either; but some days ago I gave him the first stocking I had made for my big doll, and he smiled at it, and kissed me. Let us go and bring him our Christmas presents! I wonder what mama means by great sorrows, but it must be something dreadful." Emma turned around and led the procession, until all were standing in a row before Uncle Peter's rocking-chair.

"Here, Uncle Peter," say the children—"here we bring you Ada and her pup; they are a Christmas gift for you."

"How is that?" asks Uncle Peter, in wonder. But Emma's arms are already around his neck, and she sobs into his ear: "Ada and her pup were to be killed, and that would be so—so dreadful to us, such a great sorrow, Uncle Peter. You know what that means, for you have had some yourself, haven't you!"

What is the matter with Uncle Peter? He starts, suddenly pushing Emma away from him, presses both hands against his forehead, but suddenly jumps from his chair and walks up to Ada, addressing her in his deep, strong voice: "Do you wish to stay by such an old fellow as I, old lady?"

Ada proceeds to make an appropriate remark in her own tongue. Uncle Peter seems to understand her answer; he turns to the children, exclaiming: