"Just this one cheese more, Rudolf."
"Very well. I think that will do."
"Is it not rather too early to start yet?"
"It would be safer, in some respects, to wait longer; but, considering the distance, and other things, I might fail of reaching the châlet if I put it off later."
"Yes, yes. Oh, Rudolf! believe me, I know full well the great dangers you are encountering for my poor parents—"
"Don't name it, Theresa. Even if you were no ways related to them, think you I would not do it for the sake of Hofer?"
"Surely, surely!" cried his mother. "My boy speaks well; but yet, Theresa, I think it were better to go twice, than go overburthened and meet some evil by the way."
"Rudolf," said Theresa, "you will laugh at what I have prepared for you; but see! here is a loose white garment, with a hood, to cover you quite up, which, if you put on when you reach the mountains, will enable you to cross the snow undiscerned."
"Excellent!" said Rudolf, arraying himself in it, to make sure how it looked. "I shall certainly find it useful."