CHAPTER IV

A DEPARTURE AND AN ARRIVAL

Two letters had just come to Mr. Thornau who was staying at the Leuk baths with his sick wife. One was from his daughter, the other from the governess, and both urged that he pay them a visit. That they wished exactly the same thing gave him no particular pleasure, for he knew from experience that such accord usually arose from some disagreement. Laying the letters on his wife's bed, he said, "That is another summons to go to Leuk, but don't be disturbed about it."

In spite of the gentleman's words, his wife was greatly excited and murmured, "Oh, if we had not sent the children away! It isn't good for them. They should be with us."

"If you want them here, Alida," said her husband, "just say so. You know my only reason for keeping them down below is that you may have greater quiet."

"Yes, I would feel better if you would bring them," replied his wife. "The governess may mean well, but she is too strict, and does not understand children. She is severe when it is unnecessary, and under her training Hugo grows more quiet and reserved and Alida more obstinate and disobedient. Neither of our children is easy to handle."

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"Quite right," agreed her husband. "Alida has my temperament and being a girl needs specially careful guidance. Hugo has your disposition and also your delicate health."

"He also needs special control," added Mrs. Thornau. "You will always deal with him gently, will you not, when I am here no longer?"

"Let us not say another word about it!" protested Mr. Thornau. "I will be on my way to settle this case, for it always takes two hours. I will walk down, but probably ride back."

When Mr. Thornau arrived at Mrs. Troll's house, the door was suddenly thrown open and Alida darted out, for she had seen him coming. Greetings over, the little girl began to pour out her story, but her father checked the flow with:

"Miss Landrat comes first. Then it is your turn," and that was really the way he heard of the matter.

Alida gave a vivid account of Vinzi's banishment by Mrs. Troll, and called Hugo as witness that the boy was by no means a street urchin, but a very nice lad, with whom anyone would much rather be friends than with Mrs. Troll.

The father did not doubt for a moment that there was some new reason for his daughter's sudden enthusiasm about music. But that was not the main issue. He felt some reparation must be made to the boy who had been kind enough to return his daughter's scarf and afterward been offered insult when he came to see her on her invitation. He would call on the boy and his parents and apologize at least, perhaps even make the boy some little present. Much delighted, Alida took the place of guide, for she had learned from Vinzi where he lived.

"I like the looks of this place," said Mr. Thornau, glancing approvingly at the well-kept house, the newly mowed lawn, the swept path, and the scoured bench in the shade of the walnut tree.

"Too bad! Too bad!"

He muttered the last words, but Alida quickly interpreted their meaning and said, "Yes, it is too bad that we don't live here, papa, is it not? But we could soon move here, as our piano is only rented. Then Vinzi could practise with me every day. And how I would like it! Practising alone is dreadfully tedious and that is why I gave him lessons, so he could practise with me."

"So that is the reason of the music lessons! Capital!" said her father, bursting out laughing. "And your pupil was eager to learn?"

"Oh, yes, and so clever!" exclaimed Alida. "Just think, papa, when I explained anything, he often understood it better than I, and would explain it to me."

Her father smiled as he approached the front door, which stood open, and stepping into the hall, he knocked on the first door. At a call to enter, he opened the door into a large sunny room where Mrs. Lesa sat at the window doing some needlework, with Stefeli before her busy with thick knitting needles and coarse yarn.

Mr. Thornau introduced himself and said he had come with his children to express the sincere regret they all felt that her son Vinzi had received such unpleasant treatment from Mrs. Troll. He hoped they could tell the boy how sorry they were and give him some proof of their friendship.

Mrs. Lesa declared she knew nothing of Mrs. Troll's harsh treatment for Vinzi had not complained, but she understood now what had happened; it was Mrs. Troll's words that had stirred Vinzi's father to send the lad away from home. He had left that very morning, and she had been unable to think of anything else since his departure. Begging the gentleman to be seated, she informed him how things had gone with Vinzi.

Alida quickly ran over to Stefeli to ask, "Where is your brother?"

"He has gone away," answered Stefeli.

"Why are you not in the pasture? When he is away I thought you always waited in the pasture until he came back," she said, seeming to know about everything.

"Vinzi is not away for just an hour. He has gone for many weeks, so something different must be done about the cows, though we do not know what," explained Stefeli. "You see I cannot tend them alone. But mama says everything has a good side, and now I will be able to stay in the house and knit woolen stockings to have ready for Vinzi when he comes home."

"I think that belongs to the bad side," said Alida quickly. "The heavy needles will hurt your hands and the thick yarn has cut your forefinger already. Come along out to the barnyard. I hear the hens cackling out there."

Stefeli glanced at her mother who had heard what the children were saying, and when she nodded her head in assent, the two girls ran off.

"Wouldn't you like to go out too?" asked Mrs. Lesa of Hugo, who stood behind his father's chair. "The air will do you good."

"Why, of course, run along with them, Hugo," said his father.

Hugo went quietly outside, and Mr. Thornau continued, "If I understand you rightly, Mrs. Lesa, the boy has been sent away because he takes no interest in the farm, which is to become his life work. But he cannot be a stupid boy, for he accepted with great eagerness my daughter's invitation to give him music lessons, and she tells me he showed unusual ability."

"No, no, there is nothing stupid about him," said Mrs. Lesa forcibly. "The only trouble is his thoughts are ever wandering. If he is in the field with his father and a bell sounds from near or far, the lad is sure to pay attention to nothing else until the sound can be heard no longer. Often it is as though he were listening to something no one else can hear. Of course that has made his father impatient, and he thinks if Vinzi lives with other boys who love farm life, he will like it too. But I do not know how things will go," with a doubtful shake of her head. "This thing is very deep-seated in Vinzi. Even when a little baby, he would stand still when he heard any ringing sound. If he fell and was hurt, if I took him on my lap and sang, he would stop his crying and be happy again."

"That clearly shows your son has an ear for music, delights in it, and probably has considerable talent. He should be trained for the thing for which he is best fitted. True, that takes several years, but he would become a finished musician, be happy and satisfied, and you with him."

"That is not for Vinzi," she said calmly. "His father would never allow his only son to leave home for years and years to study music and then gain an uncertain living among strangers."

"It is queer how things go in this world," remarked Mr. Thornau. "Look at that youngster out there! He is my only son, but if he would express a wish, I would give him anything. If he wished to study, I would be the happiest of men. But what do you think? If I say, 'My son, would you like to learn to ride?' he answers, 'No, I'd rather not.' If I ask him, 'Would you like to learn to play the violin, the flute?' he says, 'No, I'd rather not.' 'Would you like to be a sailor and cross the seas to foreign lands?' 'Oh, no, I'd rather not!' And so it goes with every question. And so I must look with envy at your son who has a decided desire in his heart."

Mrs. Lesa had been watching the boy as he stood leaning against the tree and staring indifferently before him while the two girls played a lively game of tag.

"He cannot be in rugged health," she said sympathetically. "He looks pale and weak. He ought to live out in the meadows."

"Yes, that would be good for him," agreed Mr. Thornau. "He was never very strong, but since my wife has been ill and he has been away from his mother, he has grown even more delicate."

"Then why don't you let him stay with her?" inquired Mrs. Lesa earnestly.

Mr. Thornau smiled and said, "You are a real mother even toward those who do not belong to you; that is good. But, you see, complete rest was ordered for my wife and so I brought the children down here, for when the boy is with his mother, the girl wants to be too, and she is very noisy, though she cannot help it. Now my wife wishes me to bring the children back to her as she worries when they are away. But my visit has lasted long enough, Mrs. Lesa," he said, rising. "However, please permit me to come again; it is pleasant to be with you."

Mrs. Lesa accompanied her visitor outdoors and called the children. Hugo was still leaning against the tree, but came up slowly behind the scampering girls.

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When Stefeli heard her mother invite the gentleman to come again, she said quickly, "You'll come too, Alida? Perhaps I will be in the pasture again and you can visit me there. I'm sure you would like it."

Mr. Thornau and the children wandered back to Mrs. Troll's house, and when they met her in the doorway, he informed her he would be taking his children away in a few days, and while their stay would be shorter than he had expected, he would fulfill his bargain with her. Their mother wished to have them with her, but the chief reason for their removal was he would not allow anyone to suffer for doing a favor to his children.

How changed Mr. Thornau was, to be sure, thought Mrs. Troll as the gentleman walked away. Once so friendly, now so abrupt and formal, and he was going to take the children away. And all on account of that boy across the fields. It was really laughable, thought she, though she did not laugh by any means. She would have been glad enough to recall her angry words to Vinzi, but it was too late, for the carriage Mr. Thornau had ordered for his return had already come.

As the carriage drove up the mountain, Mr. Thornau sat lost in thought. He had received a most pleasant impression of Mrs. Lesa and her household and wished he had known her before he had placed his children with Mrs. Troll. She would have been justified in scorning him and his children, for it was through them her son had been sent away. But she had shown no sign of resentment. He would put an end to the study of the piano for his daughter; if she had any real love of music she would act far differently. At the moment he reached this conclusion, Mr. Thornau was greeted by a pedestrian going in the same direction, whom he recognized as his table-mate at the hotel.

"Oh, Mr. Delrick, what a hermit you are! Always alone!" he called to him, and ordered his driver to stop. "Now jump in, or I shall think my company is not good enough for you."

Mr. Delrick thanked him for the invitation, but declared he was unwilling to give up his daily exercise.

"Then I'll go with you," said Mr. Thornau, leaving his carriage. "I am sure I have news which will please you," and as they wandered along together, he continued, "Tell me, do you intend to turn your back on all society and become a hermit?"

"Matters are not quite so bad as that," said Mr. Delrick, laughing, "but it is true that if I could find a home with simple, orderly people where I could enjoy the beauties of nature in quiet, I would gladly leave the hotel."

"I've found that house!" exclaimed Mr. Thornau in triumph. "That is my news," and launched into an account of the day, of Mrs. Lesa, and her home. "That, Mr. Delrick," he concluded, "is certainly the home for you, and though I know we shall lose you, I cannot help telling you about it, for you have a way with you that one cannot help doing you a favor."

"My dear Mr. Thornau," said his companion, clapping him on the shoulder, "I am most grateful to you, and your description really creates a keen desire to look up the house."

When Vinzenz Lesa left his house next morning to look after his farm work, he saw a stranger approaching, who asked politely, "Might this be the house that belongs to Mr. Lesa, and do I have the honor of speaking to its owner?"

"Yes, sir."

"That is fortunate, for now I place the matter before you myself. My name is Delrick and I come from Dresden. I am stopping at the Leuk baths, but there are too many people there to suit me and so am seeking a quiet house where I may stay for a few weeks. Mr. Thornau drew my attention to your place and now that I see it myself I greatly desire you to take me in, if you will."

"I live here with my wife and child and we do not take in strangers," said Vinzenz Lesa abruptly.

"You are right in that," Mr. Delrick answered pleasantly, "and that is just what I would do in your place."

Mr. Lesa looked at the gentleman in astonishment and then said, "Since we are of the same opinion, our business is done."

"I am afraid it is true," replied Mr. Delrick. "But perhaps you could tell me of some other house; one as much like yours as possible, as quietly and beautifully situated and surrounded by magnificent trees. You have a beautiful farm, Mr. Lesa, and I cannot hope to find such order and care elsewhere."

Vinzenz Lesa was pleased that the gentleman had his eye open to the fact that his farm was better kept than most. True, the condition of the yard and garden was to be credited to his wife. It occurred to him that she would be sitting in the house thinking about her boy; it was time that he had arrived at his cousin's on the mountain. She had scarcely spoken the whole day, and he did not like that. Perhaps the boy's absence might worry her less if she had this gentleman to care for. She had once suggested arranging a room for boarders and it might not be at all disagreeable to spend the evening hours in the company of such a gentleman.

"Such a house as you suggest is not within my knowledge," he said after lengthy deliberation, "but my wife is inside, and you might talk with her. If she agrees, I would be quite willing to have you stay. And now will you excuse me? I have work to attend to," and he held out his hand.

Pleased and surprised over this unexpected turn, Mr. Delrick grasped the offered hand and asked, "Do you mean you will abide by whatever your wife decides?"

"Yes, just that," replied Mr. Lesa as he departed.

On the call to enter after his knocking, Mr. Delrick stepped into the room and found a little girl busy knitting a thick stocking by the window. When he asked if he might speak to her mother, Stefeli said, "Oh, she'll soon be back. When she heard you rap, she went into the other room because she was crying a little."

"Oh, I am so sorry. Has something sad happened to cause your mother to cry?"

"Yes, Vinzi has gone away for the whole summer, and mother doesn't know the people he is with," Stefeli informed him.

"I suppose Vinzi is your brother?" sympathetically. "Why did he have to go away?"

"I don't quite know," answered Stefeli, "but perhaps because he took piano lessons from Alida."

"Well, that is a peculiar thing," remarked Mr. Delrick, smiling. "I suppose you were with your brother a great deal, and you must miss him sadly?"

"Yes, indeed, and so does mother, and he is missed at the pasture too. We were always together. Father has a cowboy now, and mother will not let me go with him. Father said at dinner time the cows won't graze, but run about as if lost, and Schwarzeli wants to jump all the fences, and when the cowboy runs after her, she grows wilder still. I can well believe that, after she has known us so long and so well. Of course she does not know a strange cowboy's voice, and doesn't feel that things are right at all, poor Schwarzeli!"

When Stefeli had gone that far in her story, the door opened and her mother entered. Mr. Delrick explained that he had come to her at her husband's suggestion, but he was not sure he ought to bother her now as he had just learned from her daughter that they were having some sorrow.

"Sometimes it does us good to have to pull ourselves together and have no time to brood over our troubles," said Mrs. Lesa calmly.

"It is still better not to consider a trouble as trouble at all. That makes it easier to bear, don't you think so, Mrs. Lesa?" he asked as though he were an old friend.

"I believe I understand your meaning, though I do not know just how to reply," she answered after a little thought.

"There is no hurry about that," said Mr. Delrick pleasantly. "If you will permit me to live in your house for several months, we will have plenty of time to talk about it."

Mrs. Lesa looked at her visitor in wonder, but the happy surprise that flitted over her face at his words quickly disappeared. "That does not depend upon me alone, sir," she said in her quiet way. "I know my husband will not take strangers into the house, and that decides the matter."

"I have already come to an understanding with Mr. Lesa," explained Mr. Delrick. "He told me himself that he would be satisfied with whatever decision you make."

Mrs. Lesa did not know what to think. Just a short time ago her husband had declared no strangers would be taken in. She suggested Mr. Delrick should first look at the two rooms they could give him, to see if they would suit. If they did, she would talk the matter over with her husband and send him word at his hotel. This pleased Mr. Delrick, for he did not wish to hurry a decision, he said, as he followed her upstairs. The light, airy room with windows to the east through which shone the morning sun attracted him no less than the one to the west with the giant walnut trees to shade it, and he was so loath to leave them that she could not fail to observe it.

When Vinzenz Lesa came home that evening the first thing he said was, "Well, what did you arrange with the gentleman?"

His wife told him she had been unable to give any definite answer without knowing what he thought about the matter. "But, Vinzenz, I believe that if the gentleman comes to stay with us, he will bring us a blessing," she concluded.

"We always have need of that," replied her husband, "so you better let him know at once that he may move in."