noon
Each day that she allowed herself to linger in this peaceful asylum , seemed like a theft from Anna -- since she had read in a letter from her to her husband , the only one the dead man 's pouch contained , that she was ill and sunk in poverty with her child . Help was needed here , and no one save herself could offer it . With aid from Barbara and Maria , she packed her clothes . At noon everything was ready for her departure , and she would not be withheld from eating in the dining-room with the family . Peter was prevented from coming to dinner , Henrica took his seat and , under the mask of loud , forced mirth , concealed the grief and anxieties that filled her heart . At twilight Maria and the children followed her into her room , and she now had the harp brought and sang . At first her voice failed to reach many a note , but as the snow falling from the mountain peaks to the plains at first slides slowly , then rapidly increases in bulk and power , her tones gradually gained fulness and irresistible might and , when at last she rested the harp against the wall and walked to the chair exhausted , Maria clasped her hand and said with deep emotion : `` Stay with us , Henrica . ''