Two boys, not much larger than Lucas, came towards them as they entered.
"We've been looking for you everywhere, and we couldn't find you anywhere!" they cried.

Elsli went to the bedside and told the mother about the children's misfortune, and where she had found them.
The poor woman thanked her, and said it was very difficult for her to look after the little ones, now that she was confined to her bed.

The two older boys had all they could do to keep the house in order, so she let the younger children go out by themselves; and sometimes they got into trouble, for they were foolish little things.

As she spoke, the mother looked with anxious eyes at Lenchen, as she stood in her mud-stiffened clothes.
"Can I help you in any way ?" asked Elsli.

She spoke timidly, for the woman's tone and manner compelled respect.
"We have never been obliged to beg," was the reply.