"That is my only reason," was the decided answer.
"Then he will stay with you and you can send him home whenever it suits you best."
Lorenz now quickened his pace for he wished to have time to have a pleasant chat with Stefeli and her mother, with both of whom he had established a close friendship.
When he bade Stefeli farewell, as he was leaving before she would be up in the morning, he gave her his hand, but she refused to say good-bye, and in the morning she was standing at the door long before sunrise to meet him as he came downstairs. She had grown so fond of him it was no task to get up early to see him off. Then, too, she had something on her mind and when he came down stairs, she asked eagerly, "Can Jos stay? Can he stay all summer?"
"Yes, yes," answered Lorenz with a smile. "Until your father sends him home."
Mrs. Lesa had made a pot of fragrant coffee and cooked a hearty breakfast to fortify him on his homeward journey, and now Vinzenz came in with Jos. The boy had been up before Stefeli and when he had found the stable open had gone in to inspect the cows, first one, then another. His exclamations of admiration greatly pleased Vinzenz, who looked on as he went from stall to stall.
After many hearty handshakes, Lorenz started on his way. Vinzenz wished to accompany him to the border of his estate, and the others went as far as the corner of the garden.
When the men were out of sight, Stefeli asked quickly, "Will you go to the pasture, so that I can go too?"
"Yes, I will. But it does not matter what I wish to do," answered Jos, "for I am not master here."
"Oh, if only I could be master!" sighed Stefeli.