"
Amrei now remained in the kitchen and handed the dishes to the
waitresses in such a knowing way, and managed and arranged everything so
well, that the mistress said:
"You two Amreis, you and my brother's daughter, can manage all this, and
I will stay with the guests."
Amrei of Siebenhofen, who was nicknamed the "Butter Countess," and who
was known far and wide as proud and stubborn, was very friendly with
Barefoot. Once, indeed, the mistress said to the latter:
"It's a pity that you are not a boy; I believe that Amrei would marry
you on the spot, and not send you home, as she does all of her suitors."
"I have a brother who's still single--but he's in America," replied
Barefoot, laughing.
"Let him stay there," said the Butter Countess; "it would be better if
we could send all the men folk away and be here by ourselves."
Amrei did not leave the kitchen until everything had been put back in
its proper place; and when she took off her apron it was still as white
and unruffled as when she had put it on.
"You'll be tired and not able to dance," said the farmer's wife, when
Amrei, with a present, finally took her leave.
"Why should I be tired? This was only play; and, believe me, I feel much
better for having done something today. A whole day devoted to pleasure!
I shouldn't know how to spend it, and I've no doubt that was why I felt
so sad this morning--I felt that something was missing.
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