Page:Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations (Volume 3).djvu/33

Rh comfort. It is true, Constantine, when alone, often reflected that all this could be but of short duration, “and Heaven knows” he exclaimed, “how I shall manage with the harvest; for Forester’s time will then be out, and the goblin of the field may chuse to appear with replenished spirits.” But he considered that the gathering in of the crop was a labour which, of itself, gave additional vigour to the workman’s arm and heart; and it was possible that Forester, for old acquaintance sake, might keep the land free from guests; as in fact, at times of cheerful relaxation, the latter seemed to imply.

In the course of time, the needful labours of the field were completed. Winter arrived, and Constantine daily drove to the forest for a stock of fuel and wood. On one of these days it so chanced that Sabina was entreated to visit a poor widow in the village, who lay dangerously ill; and whom, as far as their increasing means admitted, Constantine and his wife, had been accustomed to relieve. She was at a loss how to dispose of the children during her absence,