GRETCHEN'S DAY Gretchen was always up when the morning was rosy, when the trees were still dark and motionless, and the beads of dew white and frostlike.

For what is better than to meet the day as it comes over the mountains, and silence breaks here and there, in the houses and streets, in the fields and the vineyards?
Let old age, which has played its part and taken to the wings of the stage, let old age loiter in the morning, but not green years.

Gretchen awoke as the birds awoke, with snatches and little trills of song.

To her nearest neighbors there was about her that which reminded them of the regularity of a good clock; when they heard her voice they knew it was time to get up.
She was always busy in the morning.

The tinkle of the bell outside brought her to the door, and her two goats came pattering in to be relieved of their creamy burden.