“As you please,” said his father, “since such is your will. One word. Start at once. We want a mate for our white horse; endeavor to find one, but not in the market. When you are in the houses you can inquire, and see for yourself; and, on your way home, you can purchase a Berner wagon. Dominic, in Endringen, has three daughters. Seek one of them. A daughter from that family would be just right.”
“Yes,” said his mother, “Amelia will certainly have good daughters.”
“And it would be better,” continued the father, “that you first looked at Amrie of Siebenhöfen. She has land and money. But that need not be thy object. However, I will say no more. You have your eyes in your head. Come, get yourself ready. I will fill your purse. Two hundred crown thalers will be enough; but if you need more, Dominic will lend it to you. Only make yourself known. I cannot understand why you did not at the wedding. Something must have happened there. But I will not inquire about it.”
“Because he won’t tell you,” said the mother, smiling.
The farmer immediately began to fill the purse for him. He brought out two large rolls of gold pieces. If you looked at him, you could see how pleased he was to let the great coins run from one hand into the other. He made little heaps of ten thalers each, and counted them twice and three times over, so as not to make a mistake.
“Well, be it so,” said the young man, and rose from his chair. It is the stranger who danced with Amrie at the wedding in Endringen.
Soon he brings the white horse, already saddled, from the stable, and straps on his mantle-sack, while a beautiful wolf-hound sprang up and licked his hand.
“Yes, yes,” said the young man, “I will take you with me.” And now, for the first time, he appeared cheerful, crying to his father through the window, “Father, may I take Lux with me?”
“Yes, if you will,” sounded from within the room, together with the clinking of money. The dog, who appeared to understand the conversation, began a joyful barking, revolving round and round in the room.
The young man went in; and while he was strapping the girdle with the money about him, he said, “You are right, father, a change will do me good. I know, indeed, that we should not be superstitious, but it has done me good already, that as I went into the stable, the horse turned towards me and whinnied; and now the dog wants to go with me. If we could consult animals, who knows but that they would give us the best advice?”