CHAPTER IX

SURPRISES, NOT FOR RUSSLI ALONE

SEPTEMBER and October were months of heavy work for Vinzenz Lesa, and he was busy from dawn to dark. Usually he was in a happy mood at this season because of the blessings of a bounteous harvest. However, this autumn he went around in silence and often stood lost in thought, gazing into space. It was evident he was pondering some difficulty. Indeed, the problem of Vinzi's future filled his mind night and day and left him no peace, for he loved his son and was as proud of him as only a father can be. But the boy must be brought to his senses and realize his good fortune.

After many days spent in weighing the matter, he came to a definite decision, and went into the room where his wife sat mending his shirt. She was just as much disturbed as he, and for the same reason.

"I'll take the boy away on Sunday," said he directly he came in. "I'll take him to my brother in Freiburg. There will be plenty of work until winter, and Vinzi will be glad of it for he will find no amusements there."

Mrs. Lesa's sewing slipped out of her fingers into her lap as she looked up at her husband pale with dread.

"Have you considered the state your brother is in, Vinzenz? Do you not remember the name they have given him?" she asked. She was filled with anxiety for she could picture their Vinzi staring ahead as was his habit and her brother-in-law, sad figure that he was, alongside him.

"That's nothing," replied her husband. "He is not vicious; he just doesn't take to work and can't manage things; but he has sense enough to know there should be a master on the place as well as a servant. That is why he insists I ought to go back or send my boy to him. Vinzi is not stupid, and when he finds he can issue orders, he will like it. After that comes knowledge. This is just the thing for him, believe me! I have thought it all over, and we are off on Sunday."

Plenty of objections occurred to Mrs. Lesa, but since it seemed everything she had said only strengthened her husband's determination, she remained silent and he went off.

When she was alone with her thoughts, she remembered what grief she had suffered when Vinzi went away before, and how much better things had gone with him than she had feared. She had not trusted in the dear God. He had led her lad to kindly people, and surely to begin grieving and doubting now, as though she knew better than He what was best for Vinzi, displayed ingratitude. She would put everything in His hands, in full confidence that the Father in Heaven meant well with all His children and would guide hers as was best. She grew calm, and longed to talk with Vinzi, who did not know anything about this new plan.

That evening she heard Vinzi and his father as they returned from the woods where they had been all day and called the boy to her, for she knew that her husband would be busy in the stable and barn and would not miss him.

Stefeli came running in as soon as she heard Vinzi, but her mother sent her out to the barn on an errand, expecting she would remain there quite a while with her animal friends.

But Stefeli had noticed that her mother had something special on her mind, and thought it was absolutely necessary she should be present. She flew on her errand and was back again. But her mother did not share her view, and said, "Go and search every corner in the hen-house. You know the hens lay in unexpected places. Hunt everywhere before you bring in the eggs."

Stefeli ran as fast as she could, but she was hardly out of the house before she came rushing back. Flinging open the door, she shouted, "He is coming back! He is coming back!"

With that she was off again. The mother and Vinzi gazed at one another. Both had the same thought, but it seemed so impossible that neither expressed it.

The door opened again and what they thought impossible was really a fact. Stefeli stepped in triumphantly, holding Mr. Delrick by the hand. The surprise was so great that neither Mrs. Lesa nor Vinzi could utter a word though both their faces beamed with joy.

[Illustration]

"I have changed my plans," explained Mr. Delrick after first greetings. "My friends are returning to Germany another way, so I have come back. Really I could not do otherwise for I carry such heaps of greeting for Vinzi from the people on the mountain that I had to unload them. They treated me as an old friend because I brought Vinzi's messages."

Vinzi's eyes sparkled as he asked in eager anticipation, "Did you see them all? Grandfather and Father Silvanus too?"

"Everybody! And they all seem to love you, Vinzi," replied Mr. Delrick. "Your good Cousin Lorenz and his wife could not talk enough about the happy times you had together."

Then he launched into an account of the happiness the gifts had given the three boys. Out of sheer ecstasy Russli would not let his present leave his hands. Wherever he went, he carried the red silk bag filled with the glittering agate marbles. Mr. Delrick said he brought a special message from Russli, and though he did not quite understand it, Vinzi would likely do so. Russli wished to say he would never tickle them again and had not expected his surprise to be so lovely.

Mr. Lesa now stepped into the room, and in his surprise at seeing Mr. Delrick, he stood stock still. Then shaking the proffered hand with all his might, his eyes shining with pleasure, he said, "So it is actually true? I could not help thinking it would be this way, life has been so empty since you left. Welcome back again!" he said, emphasizing his words with another handshake. "And now let's sit down to supper. My wife is sure to have something special for this guest. She is certainly just as glad as I am that you are back."

Mrs. Lesa had already disappeared to prepare the supper, and the meal was eaten with high satisfaction for the pleasure of the reunion had banished all sad thoughts.

When they rose from the table, Mr. Delrick said, "May I have a little talk with you out on the bench, Mr. Lesa, after our old manner? Don't forget your pipe."

Mrs. Lesa understood that Mr. Delrick wished to have a private conversation with her husband, so she kept the children indoors with her.

Mr. Delrick lost no time in beginning, and as soon as the two men had sat down, he said, "You may well suppose, Mr. Lesa, that I had a reason for altering my plans and returning here."

"You surely would not do so otherwise," was the prudent reply.

"I have some news I think is so important that I wished to lose no time in giving it," continued Mr. Delrick. "I spent a day up on the mountain in order to deliver Vinzi's messages in person and to look up his friends there. First I called on your cousin, the worthy Lorenz Lesa, and his wife. These good people could not tell me enough about Vinzi, how beautiful he had made the summer with his music and songs, and how hard it is for both old and young to get along without him. That ought to please a father, hadn't it?"

The latter nodded assent.

"Then I visited the grandfather in the Tower. His joy was really touching when I gave him Vinzi's greetings. He said Vinzi had given him the most delightful hours he had had for many years with his playing and singing, and that it was his dearest wish to have the youngster sing as he departed on his last journey. His music must have been remarkable, not just frivolous wandering minstrel music, to have made such an impression on the aged man. What do you think?"

Vinzenz Lesa again nodded silently.

"When I asked him whether Father Silvanus knew much about music, my question roused the old man and he told me that Father Silvanus is really a great musician. He studied many years in a college at Rome. However, he sought solitude, and came up on the mountain to find it, and has lived there a number of years, doing much good. That convinced me I had discovered just the man I was searching for, one who could judge intelligently Vinzi's talent. So I went to Father Silvanus. As soon as he heard I came from Vinzi, he took a great interest in me. He asked if the boy was taking lessons and if his talent was being developed. I confessed it was on that account I had come to him, to hear what he thought about his talent. The good Father showed real enthusiasm, and exclaimed:

"'The boy is full of music! I never tried to teach him anything, only to entice it out of him.'

"He said he wanted to call my attention to two things; then I could judge for myself. The first melody that Vinzi composed, or at least the first that he had composed and played, had been so original and so beautiful that he himself often played it for his own pleasure. Next, Vinzi had set a tune to some words, and it had won all hearts. It was being sung by all the herd boys on the pastures, by the girls at their spinning-wheels, by the boys in stable and barn.

"'It is whistled and hummed by the people on the roads, who call it Our Song. No one knows whence it came, but it is the beloved property of the entire mountain. Isn't that sufficient?' asked the Father.

"I do not doubt any longer, Mr. Lesa, that the boy has genius. Even you must be convinced it is worth while to open the way so his gift can be developed, and of course you will do so."

For a while Mr. Lesa blew out clouds of smoke in silence, then said cautiously: "And what then? To develop it means the boy will want to do nothing else than make music. However, Vinzenz Lesa does not wish to make a musician of his only son. Musicians are vagrants; they have no real homes. If Vinzi once starts the roaming life, he will be ruined. And I, who know this, am I to start him on it? No, sir, you cannot ask it!"

Only after considerable reflection did Mr. Delrick speak, for he had not expected such a reply. Then he said with rising emotion, "It seems you cling to the idea that Vinzi can be nothing more than a wandering musician. But let me make a proposition. You surely have faith in me, Mr. Lesa?"

"I certainly have," rejoined the latter.

"Good! Then I propose that you let me have your boy for a year or a little longer. I'll do with him just what I would with my own son. When he comes back, if you think just the same as today, a year abroad will not have done Vinzi any harm. If he is to spend his life as a farmer, it cannot be very bad to have learned something. That does everybody good, whatever his occupation."

Mr. Lesa seemed to be weighing the matter, but suddenly and firmly said, "That cannot be, sir," and when asked his reason continued, "I do not care to send my son to your house for a whole year as a visitor when you have paid more than what was necessary for just a few weeks in mine."

Mr. Delrick smiled as he explained, "I live all alone in my big old house, which is quiet and often empty, so you can understand your son would be a blessing and put life into the old house. However, if this does not satisfy you, I will promise to come back to your house as your guest so often that it will balance any difference. Now shake hands on this, Mr. Lesa; I hope you will never regret it."

Though many objections crowded into Mr. Lesa's mind, he could not conquer the thought that a year abroad could really do no harm to a boy like Vinzi; he had seen so little of other people. Seeing how many boys of his age had to struggle for a living might teach him to be grateful for his pleasant home. Taking him from his free life in the country to the paved streets of the city might make him homesick and he would be glad to return even before the year was out.

"I'll shake hands on that!" and Vinzenz Lesa pressed the offered hand to seal the compact. "I will only add, sir, that should Vinzi want to come home sooner than the time set, you are to let him do so."

Mr. Delrick gave the promise unconditionally, and then rose to take the news to Mrs. Lesa, while the farmer went about his evening tasks in barn and stable. She could scarce find words to express her joy and gratitude over the turn of events. How wonderful it was for Vinzi to escape living with his morose uncle! And although she did not know just what Mr. Delrick had in view for Vinzi, she was overjoyed at the prospect of her son spending a whole year with such a man.

Vinzi knew no more about the plans than his mother, but Mr. Delrick had told him he would follow the wishes of Father Silvanus so he was sure all would be well with him.

Three days later was a time of farewell, but now no one was sad. Stefeli alone was upset, for she thought no one in the world had so lonesome a life as she. As a matter of fact, she was much alone during the winter that followed, for she had no companion on her way to and from school, and sociable Stefeli sighed many times because of this misfortune.

Now and again a letter came from Mr. Delrick bringing news of Vinzi. Each one had to be read aloud by the mother. The reports were always very favorable: the boy was in good health and busy with his work; he sent hearty greetings to all of them, and Mr. Delrick added a few friendly words, reiterating what a pleasure it was to have the boy with him and to watch his gratifying development.

The father always listened breathlessly to these reports about his son, but they often seemed to disappoint him in some way, and he would ask, "Is there no more?" as if he hoped the letter would contain some other message. When his wife assured him she had read it all, he would walk silently away. She well knew he was expecting something that did not come, and she guessed that he would have been better pleased if Vinzi were not doing so well, if he wanted to come home.

She began to worry once more. How would things go when he did return? Would he do as his father wished? If so, he would never be really happy. And if his father allowed him to do the thing he loved most, that would make dissension between the two, for the father would never become reconciled to the thought that his son would be a wandering musician. She remembered how intensely happy her husband had been when a son was born, how he had worked untiringly, how nothing had been too good for him. When he looked on the baby, he would say, "He shall have everything he wants." Such sympathy for her husband filled her heart, that she felt she must call the boy home at once, but the next moment she said to herself: "Oh, but if I do, poor Vinzi will never be happy!"

In her anxiety, she was glad to remember she had nothing to decide in the matter, and consoled herself with the fact that, after all, the One who decides all things saw further than any of them and He alone knew what was best for one and all.