Then Catharine, lowering her head to hide her tears, said in a low voice:
"I would not have them call you a deserter."
"Well, then, I will do like the others," I cried; "and as those of Phalsbourg and Dagsberg are going to the wars, I will go."
Monsieur Goulden made no remark.
"Every one is free to do as he pleases," said he, after a while; "but I am glad that Joseph thinks as I do."
Then there was silence, and toward two o'clock Aunt Grédel arose and took her basket. She seemed utterly cast down, and said:
"Joseph, you will not listen to me, but no matter. With God's grace, all will yet be well. You will return if He wills it, and Catharine will wait for you."
Catharine wept again, and I more than she; so that Monsieur Goulden himself could not help shedding tears.
At length Catharine and her mother descended the stairs, and Aunt Grédel called out from the bottom:
"Try to come and see us once or twice again, Joseph."