A little Swiss boy

by Johanna Spyri

The month of August passed and the first autumn mists descended upon the mountains. Several times messages had come up from Leuk that it would soon be time for Vinzi to return home; they had imposed long enough on the kindness of their relatives. Would their cousin take the first opportunity of sending the boy home with some one? Each time word was sent back to Leuk that the summer was not over, that no one wanted to let Vinzi go, that he was well and happy. Wouldn't his parents permit him to stay a little longer on the mountain?

One day toward evening Father Lorenz entered the house and found his wife preparing supper in her usual easy way. He seated himself in a chair for he had no special work to do until the boys returned with the cattle. For a while he sat deep in thought, then asked, "Have you noticed, Josepha, how Vinzi has changed?"

"How so?" she inquired.

"With one bound, he seems to have grown a whole year older, perhaps two," explained Lorenz. "And this has happened since he has been spending most of his time with Father Silvanus. I notice it in everything he does: the way he plays, sings, and talks. It is as though he had stepped from shadow into sunshine."

"I don't quite understand what you mean," replied his wife, "but I have always said Vinzi looks as fresh and trim as a young apple tree. And now I will say this: If Vinzi were a beggar-boy, I'd adopt him and love him as much as my other three. I can say that truthfully."

"Yes, you can say that," responded her husband with a smile. "But, you know, if the lad were a vagabond and had no mother, he would not be the boy he is. He comes from parents who look after their children and has lived in an orderly household. That's why he is the boy he is."

Heavy steps approached the door at this moment, but it was not the tramping of the boys, which was always accompanied with loud yodels, so Lorenz went to open the door and asked, "Who is there?"

A large, powerful man whom he at once recognized as a dealer in fruit at Leuk held out his hand and said, "I haven't seen you for a long time, Lesa. How are things going with you? I come on an errand for your cousin in Leuk."

Lorenz was disturbed at these words, for he felt sure his old friend had come on Vinzi's account. He often drove over the mountain and yet scarcely ever turned out of his way to call on him. However, he invited him to step in and make himself comfortable while they talked.

The fruit dealer explained that this was impossible as he had left his cart standing on the road, and his horses were none the tamest. He must deliver his message as quickly as he could: Vinzenz Lesa had wanted to write a letter, but had not had the time after he had heard that a wagon was going over the mountain. He had had barely time to tell him he wished he would bring his son down with him, for it was time he returned. The fruit dealer added that he would return in two days, when his business would be done, and would then take the boy along with him.