They loved each other dearly, these two. He would say: "She's my little wife." And she would agree: "He's my little man."
As she went on her way with even steps and looking very wise and good she heard a pretty sound of birds crying behind her, and turning her head she recognized the little beggars that she had fed when they were hungry. They had been following her.
"Goodnight, little friends," she called to them. "Good night. It's time to go to bed now. Good night!"
And the little winged singers replied in cries that meant, in bird language: "God keep you safe."
Thus Fanny came back home to her mother, followed by bird music in the air.
IV