He generally arrived at the Châlet on the first of every month, and spread out his wares on the grass plot in front of the cave, while the Goat-mother and her children walked up and down, and bargained good-humouredly for anything they had taken a fancy to.
CHAPTER II.
It was a bright sunny day, and the Goat-mother sat with her daughters at the door of the cavern. The Goat-father had gone off by himself to get some provisions at a village on the opposite side of the Glacier, and Heinrich and Pyto were digging in the fields at the back of the Châlet; when the Stein-bok, in his well-known brown cloth coat, appeared panting up the narrow pathway.
Throwing himself down on a stone bench, he tossed his Tyrolese hat on to the ground, and fanned himself with his handkerchief.
"Good morning, Herr Stein-bok. You seem exhausted," said the Goat-mother.
"I am, ma'am, and well I may be. Five miles with twenty pounds on my back is no joke, I can assure you."
"Shall I bring you a glass of lager-beer?" enquired the Heif-mother.
"It would be acceptable, ma'am, and then I will tell you my news. You've heard nothing of the Goat-father, have you?"
"Nothing," said the Goat-mother. "I am beginning to feel very nervous. I never knew him to stay away two days before."