Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/184

 mountains, and reproaches me with my want of fortune, and I must bear it all in silence. If I had only had a dower, I’d have brought the house down about his ears long ago.”

“What is thy husband’s occupation?”

“He is a glass pedler, a hard and harassing business enough. He tramps it about from town to town, with a heavy load all the year round; should any of his glass be broken on the way, I and the poor children suffer for it—but, after all, love’s blows break no bones.”

“What! canst thou still love a husband who thus ill-treats thee?”

“And why not? Is he not the father of my children? And when my boys are grown up, they will well compensate me for it all.”

“A sorry hope, that the children’s gratitude will make up for their parents’ cares and sacrifices! These same consolatory youths will wring from thee thy last farthing, when, at the pleasure of the emperor, they are sent off to his armies, and then be sabred by the Turks.”

“That as it happens; if they are slain, they will die like brave men, for their king, and their native land; but why must they needs be killed? Why may they not return home laden with booty, and make their old parents easy and comfortable for the remainder of their days?”