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In time the Mayor died, and his widow moved to her native town and took her son with her. Years passed, and the Blind Man lived on; for when one gets very old and keeps very quiet in his little corner of the world, Death seems sometimes to forget to remove him. Years passed, and the Mayor's son became a man, and was strong and rich, and had a fine black charger. Aldegunda grew up also.
In which will be seen the difference between dogs and men, most of whom can talk; whilst it is a matter for admiration if they are wise and faithful. One day the Mayor's little son came down the road, and by the hand he held his playmate Aldegunda. "Give the poor Blind Man a penny," said she. "You are always wanting me to give away my money," replied the boy peevishly.
Aldegunda thought to herself "We are so happy, and have so much, that I do not like to take the Blind Man's dog from him;" but she did not dare to say so. One if not two must bear and forbear to be happy even on one's wedding day. By-and-bye they rode under the crab-tree, but the seat was empty. "What has become of the Blind Man?" the Mayor's son asked of a peasant who was near.
Now remember, Aldegunda, I won't marry you when you grow big, unless you agree with what I do, like the wife in the story of 'What the Goodman does is sure to be right." On hearing this Aldegunda sobbed till she burst the strings of her hat, and the boy had to tie them afresh. "I won't marry you at all if you cry," said he.
It vexes me to look at it." "I must wait for the charger, I see," said the Dog. "Nothing vexes you but the hobby-horse, I hope?" "Aldegunda vexes me more than anything," answered the boy, with an aggrieved air; "and it's very hard when I am so fond of her. She always tumbles down when we run races, her legs are so short.
Aldegunda made no answer, for it is not from those one loves that he will willingly learn that with a selfish and imperious temper happiness never dwells. And as they rode away again into the green lanes, the shrill voices of the chanters followed them "Blessed are the dead. Blessed are the dead."
"It is well that my father is the richest man in the town, and that I have a whole silver crown yet in my pocket." But he put the penny into the hat which the Dog held out, and the Dog gave it to his master. "Heaven bless you," said the Blind Man. "Amen," said the Dog. "Aldegunda! Aldegunda!" cried the boy, dancing with delight. "Here is a dog who can talk. I would give my silver crown for him.
It's her birthday to-day, but she toddles as badly as she did yesterday, though she's a year older." "She will have learned to run by the time that you are a man," said the Dog. "So nice a little lady can give you no other cause of annoyance, I am sure?" The boy frowned. "She is always wanting something. She wants something now, I see. What do you want, Aldegunda?"
"I wish " said Aldegunda, timidly, "I should like the blind man to have the silver crown, and for us to keep the penny, if you can get it back out of the hat." "That's just the way you go on," said the boy, angrily. "You always think differently from me.
"I don't believe it," said the young man fretfully. "He was an Enchanted Dog, and he promised I should have him when I could say what I am ready to say now. He should have kept his promise." But Aldegunda had taken the dog's cold head into her arms, and her tears fell fast over it.
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