The building was already blazing, and the thatched roof threatened to fall in.

Just at that moment the old cow looked at me so piteously and uttered such a mournful bellow that it touched me to the heart.

My eyes rested on the calf, and a voice within whispered that it would be motherless, like me, and miss during the first part of its life God's best gift.

But since, as you have heard, I act before I think, I went myself--I no longer know how--into the burning stable.

It was hard to breathe in the dense smoke, and fiery sparks scorched my shawl and my hair, but I was conscious of one thought: You must save the helpless little creature's mother! So I called and lured her, as I do at home, where all the cows are fond of me, but it was useless; and just as I perceived this the thatched roof fell in, and I should probably have perished had not Altrosen this time carried my own by no means light figure out of the stable instead of the calf." "And you ?" asked Els eagerly.
"I submitted," replied the countess.
"No, no," urged Els.