Vinzi also looked at the open book, but he gazed at it as if it were a marvel.
"Now I'll play a short piece," continued Alida. "It is an easy one and you can soon learn it."
Vinzi listened and his eyes glowed with happiness.
As she finished the Black Forest clock struck three and jumping down from the stool she announced, "Now the lesson is over. Come again tomorrow," and Vinzi held out his hand in farewell and then ran off.
So matters continued for three days more. Vinzi was such an apt pupil that his teacher was amazed at his progress. He rejoiced that he was sent to the pasture these days and not required to help his father in the stable and barn as sometimes happened, for now his thoughts were so entirely filled with his study of music that often he did not hear what was said to him.
On the few occasions when his father needed him for little tasks, he would send him away with a shake of the head, saying, "Where is your head, boy?"
The afternoon for the fourth lesson had come and he was so happy that he took two of the steps at a time and was half way up when a harsh voice called out to him, "Hey, what's the matter? You bold boy, come down at once!"
"I want to go up to Alida," explained Vinzi.
"To Alida? You know no Alida and she does not know you," Mrs. Troll shouted savagely, for it was she who stood at the bottom of the stairs. "Come down this moment or I'll fetch you in a way you will not like."
Vinzi obeyed, but as he descended, he called out with all his might, "Alida, I cannot come, but you know I was here."