On the first morning, Stefeli awoke Alida early, as had been agreed, and both girls, fresh and full of enterprise, stood waiting by the barn for Jos, who was loosening the cows from their chains. Hugo had come down from his room to go out to the pasture with them as his father had ordered, but looked so wan and pale that Mrs. Lesa led him back to his room, straightened the pillows on his bed and told him to rest a little longer; there was no hurry about going to the pasture; she would take him out later, to show him the way. He need not get up so early hereafter.
For the first time since he had lost his mother, Hugo felt a motherly hand was caring for him and a great love for Mrs. Lesa filled his heart from that day. In these first days the silent, grieving boy passed many hours with her and found much comfort in the sympathetic way she listened when he talked about his mother, which he always did when they were alone together.
The good her warm interest did him was soon plain to be seen, and one day he came downstairs as early as on that first morning. He looked much stronger now, and to Mrs. Lesa's joy, begged to go right out to the pasture. Until then he had always preferred staying in the house until she had sent him off, and she always accompanied him part of the way.
Hugo found Jos alone, singing and yodeling as he strolled about with his herd. It was as though Hugo saw the fine animals for the first time and he began to ask all sorts of questions, for he observed them closely and found a great difference in their behavior as well as in their appearance. This discovery caused him considerable surprise for he had thought that cows were just cows, one the same as the other.
Jos was in his element and launched into an eloquent description of the habits of his cattle. With the insight into the characteristics of each member of the herd that Jos gave him, Hugo wanted to hear more and more. And all he had to do was to ask for Jos knew all he wished to learn, and could describe everything so vividly that their enjoyment was mutual. Hugo soon learned what fodder produces the best milk, and how milk is handled to make the best butter and cheese. He was also told that the creameries preferred Vinzenz Lesa's milk because his cows were of the finest breed and kept so clean.
The two boys were engaged in lively conversation when Stefeli ran up and much to their surprise began to lay out the midday meal under the ash tree. Stefeli was well pleased that neither of them had noticed how late it was, for she had tarried over-long with Alida. The four of them soon sat down to their lunch in a particularly merry mood, for they were happy because Hugo was so bright.
"Let us be a family from now on," suggested Alida, "for then we will keep together like this all the time. Hugo is the landlord and I am his sister, the young spinster of the estate. Jos is our manager."
"Then Stefeli can be the mistress," Hugo added.
"What are you thinking of, Hugo?" demanded Jos. "Stefeli cooks for us and lays the table. She couldn't be the wife of the landlord: she must be the manager's wife."
"Jos is right," decided Alida.