Lean Lisa
Lean Lisa was of a very different way of
thinking from Lazy Harry and Fat Trina, who never let anything disturb their peace. She
slaved away from morning till evening, and burdened her husband, long laurence, with so
much work that he had heavier weights to carry than an ass with three sacks. But it was
all to no purpose, for they had nothing and came to nothing. One night as she lay in bed,
and could hardly move one limb for weariness, she still did not allow her thoughts to go
to sleep. She thrust her elbow into her husband's side, and said, listen, Lenz, to what I
have been thinking. If I were to find one florin and one was given to me, I would borrow
another to put to them, and you too should give me another, and then as soon as I had got
the four florins together, I would buy a young cow. This pleased the husband right well.
It is true, said he, that I do not know where I am to get the florin which you want as a
gift from me. But, if you can get the money together, and can buy a cow with it, you will
do well to carry out your project. I shall be glad, he added, if the cow has a calf, and
then I shall often get a drink of milk to refresh me. The milk is not for you, said the
woman, we must let the calf suck that it may become big and fat, and we may be able to
sell it well. Certainly, replied the man, but still we will take a little milk. That will
do no harm. Who has taught you to manage cows, said the woman. Whether it does harm or
not, I will not allow it, and even if you were to stand on your head for it, you should
not have a drop of the milk. Do you think, because there is no satisfying you, Long
Laurence, that you are to eat up what I earn with so much difficulty. Wife, said the man,
be quiet, or I will give you a blow on your mouth. What, cried she, you threaten me, you
glutton, you rascal, you Lazy Harry. She was just laying hold of his hair, but long
laurence got up, seized both Lean Lisa's withered arms in one hand, and with the other he
pressed down her head into the pillow, let her scold, and held her until she fell asleep
for very weariness. Whether she continued to wrangle when she awoke next morning, or
whether she went out to look for the florin which she wanted to find, that I know not.
--The End-- |
