The call to the cows was resounding through the valley, when he came in sight of am Sand in the warm glow of the setting sun. He sprang upon a little knoll, to contemplate it more attentively; and, lo! just beneath him, on the grass, sat a young girl knitting, while beside her fed seven sheep and three goats.
"Theresa!" cried he, half doubtfully.
She looked up at him in surprise. The next moment he was beside her.
"Oh, is it you?" and an innocent blush mantled on her cheek. "You bring news of my dear father?"
"He is well; he sends his dear love to you all."
"Come to the house—my mother will be so glad to see you! She will have a thousand questions to ask."
"First,—are you glad, Theresa, to see me?"
"Certainly; very glad, indeed! Come in, by all means. I ought to have driven home the sheep and goats already, but thought I would finish off my knitting first."
And, collecting her little flock, she alertly led the way to the house; while Eisenstecken could hardly make up his mind whether to detain her or not.