"What's this you are calling out?" said Mrs. Troll roughly. "I see you want to fool me and make me believe you know the little girl upstairs whose name you have happened to hear. There is the door!"
But Alida had heard the voices and now came running down the stairs to say in a superior manner, "Why are you sending Vinzi away? He wishes to see me."
"Ah, the matter was arranged then!" exclaimed Mrs. Troll, using quite a different tone. "Did Miss Landrat know he was coming?"
"No, but I knew it," answered Alida haughtily.
"Then we will tell Miss Landrat and everything will be settled," said Mrs. Troll scornfully. "The best thing for him to do now is to go where he belongs."
That was Vinzi's opinion too, and shaking hands with Alida, he went sadly away, for he thought all was over. But Alida was very angry that the woman had dared to send her friend away, and she called out furiously, "I'll tell my papa everything, and he'll not let Vinzi be treated so!" and flew up the stairs.
As soon as Mrs. Troll saw the governess returning with Hugo, she reported what had happened in her absence.
"It is certain the boy has been here before," she concluded in excitement.
"His coming today had been arranged, for he shot up the stairs as though it were his home, and Alida was waiting for him."
Miss Landrat was horrified. "How could she be so bold? To think of making an acquaintance with a cowherd of unknown family!"