It was soon made clear to her, for Madame Rodel came in, and with her Brown Mariann. Madame said,—
“Listen, for once, husband; this I think must not go on so quickly. The children must not be sent in such haste with this man to America.”
“He is their only living relation, the brother of Josenhans.”
“Yes indeed, but he has not till now shown that he is a relation, and I think they cannot do this without leave of the Parish Council. The children have in the Parish a right of home, and they cannot take it away in their sleep; the children cannot say themselves what they will do, and that I call taking them in their sleep.”
“My Amrie is wide-awake enough. She is just thirteen, but as wise as another of thirty years,” said Mariann.
“You both should be counsellors,” said Rodel.
“But I also am of opinion that children should not be taken away like calves with a halter. Good! Let the man speak with them alone; afterwards, let them decide what they will do. He is their natural guardian, and has the right to take the father’s place. Listen; go with thy brother’s children a little out of the village while the women remain here—there speak to them alone.”
The wood-hewer took both children by the hand and left the house with them.
“Where shall we go?” he asked the children in the street.
“If thou wouldst be our father, go home with us. There is our house,” said Dami.