"She has saved me a world of trouble since she's been in the house." "And she cooks better than any one else in Lubeck!" exclaimed the old nurse, not to be beat in enumerating all the good qualities of Fritz's guardian angel, who had taken her heart, as well as the widow's, by storm.
Meanwhile, the subject of all these remarks stood in the centre of the room, blushing at the compliments paid her on all sides.
"Dear me, good people, I shall have to run away if you go on like that," she cried at last.

"I have been so happy here," she added, turning to Fritz.

"It's the first time I've known what home was since my mother died." "Poor child," said Madame Dort, opening her arms.

"Come here, I'll be your mother now." "Ah, that's just what I've longed for!" exclaimed Fritz rapturously.
"Madaleine, will you be her daughter in reality ?" The girl did not reply in words, but she gave him one look, and then hid her face in the widow's bosom.
"Poor Eric," said the widow presently, resigning Madaleine to the care of Fritz, who was nothing loth to take charge of her--the two retreating to a corner and sitting down side by side, having much apparently to say to each other, if such might be surmised from their bent heads and whispered conversation.

"If he were but here, my happiness would now be almost complete!" "Yes," chimed in Lorischen as she bustled out of the room, Madame Dort following her quietly, so as to leave the lovers to themselves--"the dear flaxen-haired sailor laddie, with his merry ways and laughing eyes.
I think I can see him now before me! Ah, it is just nineteen months to the day since he sailed away on that ill-fated voyage, you remember, mistress ?" But, she need not have asked the question.