"Then we will start at once," said the priest and led the way to the great room and organ.
This lesson was quite different from those Alida had given, and the teacher had as little idea of the flight of time as the pupil. One hour, then a second was gone when the ringing of a bell reminded the priest of the time. He quickly closed his instrument, shook Vinzi's hand and said, "We will continue tomorrow. Come as early as you did today."
Vinzi departed so full of his good fortune that he had to run to the grandfather at once to tell him of all the unexpected and unbelievable things which had happened.
Each day now grew more lovely for Vinzi. The further Father Silvanus took him in his art, the greater his desire to proceed. When the priest had to leave Vinzi, he permitted his pupil to remain at the organ to practise, and there he would sit for hours. He was never disturbed by any sound in the silent house and time passed unnoticed.
When the sun's rays gleamed at a certain angle above the organ, he knew evening was near, and then he closed the instrument and slipped quietly through the passage and out to the road. This left him just sufficient time for a visit to grandfather, and then a quick run down to his cousins and their comrades, where his coming always created jubilation. Ear splitting noises always followed his arrival, for every owner of a pipe wanted Vinzi to hear what he had learned to play. Vinzi could not help wondering how the number of pipes had increased so during the time he had not been coming to the pasture. Had the boys discovered how to make them, or where did they get them?
His bargain with Russli was not forgotten. The little fellow was at his side every morning as they started out and every evening as they returned, he claimed his new pipe.
"Russli, you have pipes enough now," remarked Vinzi one day as he wandered along behind the cows with his little comrade on the homeward way. "By this time you should have learned not to worry the cows without always expecting a pipe as a reward."
"And so I have," assented Russli, "and, besides, I have so much to do."
Vinzi was surprised at this statement for he had been so mischievous only because he had much idle time on his hands. So he inquired, "What have you to do?"
"I will show you, but no one else must know," answered Russli mysteriously, and he led Vinzi off the road over to the old larches.