"Let me be his godfather," the stranger said.
The peasant rejoiced. He thanked the stranger and said, "But whom shall I ask to be his godmother?"
"Go into the town," the stranger said; "in the square you will see a stone house with shop windows; go in and ask the merchant to let his daughter stand as godmother to your son."
The peasant was doubtful.
"But how can I ask a rich merchant? He will be too proud to let his daughter come to a poor man like me."
"That won't be your fault; go and ask him. Have everything ready by the morning and I'll come to the christening."
The peasant went home, then drove into the town to the merchant. He had no sooner stopped in the yard than the merchant came out.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"God has given me a child," the peasant said, "to gladden my sight in my youth, to comfort me in my old age and to pray for my soul when I die. Will you be kind
