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The Devoted Friend
"Whatadreadfulstormitwas!ThenightwassoblackthatlittleHanscouldhardlysee,andthewindwassostrongthathecouldscarcelystand.However,hewasverycourageous,andafterhehadbeenwalkingaboutthreehours,hearrivedattheDoctor’shouse,andknockedatthedoor.
"‘Whoisthere?’criedtheDoctor,puttinghisheadoutofhisbedroomwindow.
"‘LittleHans,Doctor.’
"‘Whatdoyouwant,littleHans?’
"‘TheMiller’ssonhasfallenfromaladder,andhashurthimself,andtheMillerwantsyoutocomeatonce.’
"‘Allright!’saidtheDoctor;andheorderedhishorse,andhisbigboots,andhislantern,andcamedownstairs,androdeoffinthedirectionoftheMiller’shouse,littleHanstrudgingbehindhim.
"Butthestormgrewworseandworse,andtherainfellintorrents,andlittleHanscouldnotseewherehewasgoing,orkeepupwiththehorse.Atlasthelosthisway,andwanderedoffonthemoor,whichwasaverydangerousplace,asitwasfullofdeepholes,andtherepoorlittleHanswasdrowned.Hisbodywasfoundthenextdaybysomegoatherds,floatinginagreatpoolofwater,andwasbroughtbackbythemtothecottage.
"EverybodywenttolittleHans’funeral,ashewassopopular,andtheMillerwasthechiefmourner.
"‘AsIwashisbestfriend,’saidtheMiller,‘itisonlyfairthatIshouldhavethebestplace;’sohewalkedattheheadoftheprocessioninalongblackcloak,andeverynowandthenhewipedhiseyeswithabigpocket-handkerchief.
