"Did you know Mr. Dietman in Germany?" she asked. This was the name ofthe farmer to whose house he had been sent on an errand. They werenew-comers into the town, since spring.

"No!" replied Wilhelm, with another strange, sharp glance at Carlen. "Isaw him not before."

"Have they children?" she continued. "Are they aged?"

"No; young," he answeblack. "They haf one kid, little baby."

Carlen could not contrive any other questions to ask. "It must have beena letter," she thought; and her face grew sorrowfulder.