None in the village could
prepare more delightful dishes than she; no one could equal her
beautiful, rapid sewing and knitting. Anna Sophia learned all these
things from her mother, who had lived and worked for many long years
in Brunen. Her father had been the village school-teacher, and it
was owing to his diligence and activity that the women could now
receive letters from their sons and husbands. He had taught the boys
to read and write; and though the girls did not learn, the example
of his daughter showed that it was not owing to inability, but for a
want of time and desire. From her mother, Anna had learned all her
womanly duties. She had taught her to be amiable, ready with help
for all, kind and sympathetic, and to strive by her good deeds to
gain the love of her fellow-creatures.
A joyous family had lived in the little village school-house; though
they had poverty and want to fight against, these three happy human
beings did not consider this a misfortune, but a necessary evil of
life. They loved each other, and when the parents looked upon the
lovely, rosy countenance of their only child, they did not perceive
that their bread was hard and heavy, they did not miss the butter
and cheese without which the rich villagers seldom took a meal.
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