Vinzi had remained silent all this while, and now as he sat on his door sill and gazed up at the stars, he was swayed by conflicting emotions. He was happy at the thought that he would soon see his mother and Stefeli, and his father too. Perhaps the latter would be kindly disposed toward him again, as in the old days Vinzi remembered so well. Then his father would let him ride on his knees, and would say to him—
"Now, Vinzi, lively! As soon as you can ride well, you shall have a horse."
Vinzi was not quite sure just when his father had begun to change in his attitude toward him, nor did he know why.
On the other hand, there was the sadness that for him all this lovely mountain life was at an end. He must leave all these kind people. And then the music! Yes, all the music! With whom could he continue his music at home? There was no one. Must all this be ended for him forever? His heart sank within him at the thought, but next moment it pulsated with the thought of going home and seeing those he loved.
Even if he must forget all about music at home, thought Vinzi to himself, he would surely be able to go up to Father Silvanus again some day, and this was his last consoling thought as he fell asleep.
The next morning there was no time for any discussion as they had to be off to the pasture as early as possible. Jos and Faz were already off for the cows, and Vinzi was ready to follow with Russli when his Cousin Lorenz drew him to one side and said in a low voice, "It has to be, Vinzi, and you will be glad to get home. I wanted to tell you so that you could bid good-bye to Father Silvanus and to the grandfather this morning."
Vinzi knew his cousin's words were final, and he went off in silence, which did not please Russli at all.
"Say something to me," said the little boy petulantly, after they had walked a short distance.
"I can't talk very well," replied Vinzi, "something is choking me. But don't be unhappy, for when I get home I will send you something nice for your little shop."
"You needn't go home," declared Russli confidently. "Faz has thought of something to do so you need not go. He told Jos about it at the pump. Early tomorrow morning he will go up the road and wait for the wagon. When it stops, he will climb up into the seat and say that he is the boy from Leuk. Then the man will drive on, and when they have gone some distance along the other side of the mountain, he will jump off the wagon and say he is not the right boy after all, and run back. Now don't you see? The man can't do anything then, for it will be too far for him to come back."