And Victor called out, "For shame! Uncle Ernst is a coward! For shame! Uncle Ernst is a bad man!"
Martella raised the scythe and was about to hurl it at Victor, but Rothfuss fortunately parried the stroke. Martella now wrestled with Rothfuss, and called out to Victor, "You soldier's child! Keep quiet, you soldier's child!" She seemed to use the words reproachfully.
Suddenly she exclaimed, "I know where Ernst is! I am going to him--away, away from all of you!"
She started on a brisk run, but was caught in the arms of Richard, who was just coming up.
When Richard told us all this, his voice seemed broken, and, for some time, he stood with his eyes cast on the ground. Then he went on to tell us that Martella had become quiet and gentle, and had willingly consented to ride home again, when he told her that mother wanted to see her; and that now she was down in the barn, and was sitting on the clover, waiting until she was sent for.
Martella was called up to the house. When she entered the room, my wife requested us to leave. I have never learned what passed between them.
I was quite surprised at what Rothfuss told me.
When Richard caught Martella in his arms, she cried out, "No, no; you shall not kiss me!" and pushed him from her with such force, that he would have been thrown to the ground if Rothfuss had not come to his assistance.
Richard had told us nothing of that.