Page:The Happy Prince and other tales (1888).djvu/87



The Devoted Friend. said little Hans, and his funny round face glowed all over with pleasure. 'I can easily put it in repair, as I have a plank of wood in the house.'

A plank of wood!' said the Miller; 'why, that is just what I want for the roof of my barn. There is a very large hole in it, and the corn will all get damp if I don't stop it up. How lucky you mentioned it! It is quite remarkable how one good action always breeds another. I have given you my wheel-barrow, and now you are going to give me your plank. Of course, the wheelbarrow is worth far more than the plank, but true friendship never notices things like that. Pray get it at once, and I will set to work at my barn this very day.'

Certainly,' cried little Hans, and he ran into the shed and dragged the plank out.

It is not a very big plank,' said the Miller, looking at it; 'and I am afraid that after I have mended my barn-roof there 71