"You see, Stefeli, the governess probably has entire charge of the children and is responsible for everything they do and for the friends they make," explained her mother.
"There goes father!" exclaimed Vinzi. "If we wish to get home at the same time he does we must walk faster."
As this was the mother's wish, they hastened their steps and met him a short distance from their home, and soon the little family was seated around the supper table.
Everything was quiet during the meal for the children knew they had to be silent and their parents spoke but little.
As soon as the children had finished, Vinzi asked, "May we go out doors?"
And when permission was granted, they hurried off to the barn where there were plenty of nooks and corners for a grand game of hide-and-seek.
The June evening was bright and warm, and Vinzenz Lesa rose cheerfully from the table, went outside and seated himself on the bench in front of the house to enjoy his pipe. Soon afterward his wife came out and sat beside him. Now he grew talkative and told of his visit that day to an acquaintance down in the valley: how he had looked over his meadows, fields and cattle and when he had silently compared them with his own property he had to say to himself:
"Vinzenz Lesa, that is a fine property you have inherited."
"Yes, we ought to be thankful, and we will be, Vinzenz," said his wife.
"That is quite true," he continued, "but when I rejoice and plan how to improve the farm and increase the stock, it seems I am hobbled so I cannot take another step. It is the boy Vinzi I mean. For whom should I do all this if not for him? And what kind of a boy is he? He has no eyes in his head! He shows no pleasure, not a bit of interest in leading out to pasture the finest cows to be found anywhere around. If I say to him, 'Just look at the fine fodder in this meadow!' he says, 'Yes,' and looks absently into the distance. There is something wrong with him."