During this discussion Schilder-David had remained perfectly silent: he was holding Joseph in his arms, passing his hand over his face and his limbs, as if to make sure that he really had him safe again. And now he slipped out at the door along with the boy: he could not exactly tell why: he wanted to be once more alone with Joseph at home; but when he got outside the house he, for the first time, perceived that his knees failed him—he was forced to sit down on the steps. Within the house he heard a commotion, a window was opened and a pungent smell of smoke was perceptible, for the lights on the Christmas tree were all blown out.
So sat Schilder-David. Who comes this way? Who can it be? It is Häspele. He shouted with joy on seeing Joseph, who was, however, shivering so much that Schilder-David was quite uneasy about him.
"Go back quickly into the wood and say that he is here, and prevent them all running about in search of him," said David, his teeth chattering.
Häspele hurried away, shouting out the good news. "He is found! he is found!" cried he up the hill till he was hoarse.
A female figure now came out to David and said—
"Give me the child."
"No; I'll give him to no one here. What do you want with him?"
"I wish to carry him to my room, and to put him to bed. Come with us."
"Oh! you must be Tony, surely? Your mother was a good woman."
"And I hope I am, too. Come, quick; make haste!"