STILL HIGHER UP THE MOUNTAIN
THREE weeks after Vinzi had arrived at his cousin's house, a good friend of his father stopped to see him on his way to Domo. He brought greetings from Vinzi's father and mother and said that on his return journey he had promised to stop at the Lesa home to carry back news of the boy. Vinzenz and his wife were eager to know how their son took to the life on the mountain and how he was getting along with his cousin's family, and whether or not his reserve and dreamy ways made him a burden.
Lorenz and Josepha were to decide when he was to return home. When they thought it time to send him, would they kindly find a companion, or let them know so they could arrange the matter in Leuk? The man had expected to return to Leuk in five or six days, and it was now the fifth day since he had called on them and then journeyed on to Domo.
Lorenz had just stepped into the room where his wife was setting the table for supper.
"The man from Leuk will not come today," said Lorenz. "I suppose he will be here tomorrow, and we must make him understand the joy Vinzi has brought us."
"Indeed so," his wife agreed. "I was just wondering why they sent him up here. Certainly we would wish to keep such a son at home. People do that sort of thing if a boy is not as he should be, or if he has strange fancies which he might lose among strangers. But Vinzi is an exceptional boy. Since he has been in our home, I scarcely know my own boys. There is Russli, for instance. He had to be dragged to the pump every morning and while he was being washed, he would scream and fight for dear life. Now as soon as he is out of bed, he rushes to the stream behind the hayrick and thinks it fun to wash himself because Vinzi does it and likes it. He scrubs himself cleaner than I ever washed him, just because he wants to be like Vinzi, who certainly always is spick and span. And now Russli never comes home from the pasture crying. When I ask him how it happens he comes home without howling and complaining, he says Faz doesn't beat him any more because Vinzi takes his part. When I ask Faz how it is he lets Russli come home in peace, he declares Vinzi keeps the boy in order so he needs no beating. Faz says he likes it better so, and wishes Vinzi would remain with us always. He never talked that way before, and he liked to hit out. And Jos, who always made the least trouble, as you yourself must admit—"
"Yes, truly, the eldest son is always the model boy in his mother's eyes," interrupted her husband.
"Indeed, our Jos is good to look at," continued the wife, "but Vinzi is even better-mannered. Jos himself has remarked it and imitates whatever Vinzi does. Good manners suit him so well that, with a cap on his head and a mantle over his shoulders such as we see strangers wearing on the passing stage-coach, he would be taken for a gentleman's son."
"That's not to be desired," said Lorenz aside.
"And we never had any idea Jos had such a fine voice until Vinzi came with his music. What lovely times we have every evening! We are never disturbed any more with one boy throwing the other under the table, while the third rocks his chair to pieces. I believe our music has tamed them all, they are such different boys. Why did your cousin send his son up here instead of keeping him at home? I know very well his wife could not have wished it. Now tell me what you think."