He accomplished the task eventually, however, and came back home a wealthy man.
Then they met again in the poorly-furnished parlour where they had parted.

But they did not sit as near to each other as of old.

For she had lived alone so long that she had grown old-maidish, and she was feeling vexed with him for having dirtied the carpet with his muddy boots.

And he had worked so long earning money that he had grown hard and cold like the money itself, and was trying to think of something affectionate to say to her.
So for a while they sat, one each side of the paper "fire-stove ornament," both wondering why they had shed such scalding tears on that day they had kissed each other good-bye; then said "good-bye" again, and were glad.
There is another tale with much the same moral that I learnt at school out of a copy-book.

If I remember rightly, it runs somewhat like this:-- Once upon a time there lived a wise grasshopper and a foolish ant.