Then said the other: "And yet, 't is true,

We help in all that our husbands do.

When twice a year they have killed a sheep,

'T is only half for ourselves we keep;

Our poorer neighbours have all the rest.

And this, I fear, is the very best

We ever do!"  "And," said he, "'t is well!

But think—is there nothing more to tell?"

They both were silent a little space,

And each one questioned the other's face,

Till, doubtful, when she had thought awhile,

The elder said, with a modest smile:

"This summer have forty years gone by,

Since she—my sister-in-law—and I

Together came in this house to dwell;

And, Father, it is not much to tell,

But in all these years, from first to last,

No angry word has between us passed,

Nor even a look that was less than kind.

And that is all I can call to mind."

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