Landolin opened his eyes at this speech; but his only answer was a tap on the shoulder. The miller said, with a trembling voice:
"Yes, yes; 'twill be beautiful to have a young woman in our house once more."
"Thoma will hold you in all honor," said the farmer's wife. "She honors her parents, and that makes sound housewives."
Landolin shrugged his shoulders slightly, when the miller continued:
"I'm very sure, Landolin, that your daughter is not so hot-tempered as you and your side of the house have always been."
Landolin smiled, well pleased that people should think him hot-tempered, for this made them fear and respect him.
CHAPTER X.
As Landolin still remained silent, the miller felt called upon to speak.
"I can well understand that it must be hard for you to let your daughter leave your house; we found it so when our only daughter was married. My wife--it is from her that Anton gets his ready speech--said that when the daughter who sang as she went up and down the stairs is gone, then it seems that all the cheerfulness of the house has flown away like a bird."
At these stupid, soft-hearted words, Landolin gave the miller a disdainful look. But he did not notice this, and went on in a voice too low for the lovers to hear: