Vinzi knew no more about the plans than his mother, but Mr. Delrick had told him he would follow the wishes of Father Silvanus so he was sure all would be well with him.
Three days later was a time of farewell, but now no one was sad. Stefeli alone was upset, for she thought no one in the world had so lonesome a life as she. As a matter of fact, she was much alone during the winter that followed, for she had no companion on her way to and from school, and sociable Stefeli sighed many times because of this misfortune.
Now and again a letter came from Mr. Delrick bringing news of Vinzi. Each one had to be read aloud by the mother. The reports were always very favorable: the boy was in good health and busy with his work; he sent hearty greetings to all of them, and Mr. Delrick added a few friendly words, reiterating what a pleasure it was to have the boy with him and to watch his gratifying development.
The father always listened breathlessly to these reports about his son, but they often seemed to disappoint him in some way, and he would ask, "Is there no more?" as if he hoped the letter would contain some other message. When his wife assured him she had read it all, he would walk silently away. She well knew he was expecting something that did not come, and she guessed that he would have been better pleased if Vinzi were not doing so well, if he wanted to come home.
She began to worry once more. How would things go when he did return? Would he do as his father wished? If so, he would never be really happy. And if his father allowed him to do the thing he loved most, that would make dissension between the two, for the father would never become reconciled to the thought that his son would be a wandering musician. She remembered how intensely happy her husband had been when a son was born, how he had worked untiringly, how nothing had been too good for him. When he looked on the baby, he would say, "He shall have everything he wants." Such sympathy for her husband filled her heart, that she felt she must call the boy home at once, but the next moment she said to herself: "Oh, but if I do, poor Vinzi will never be happy!"
In her anxiety, she was glad to remember she had nothing to decide in the matter, and consoled herself with the fact that, after all, the One who decides all things saw further than any of them and He alone knew what was best for one and all.
[CHAPTER X]
OLD FRIENDS AND NEW LIFE
IT was spring again, and the trees and hedges were in bloom. The grass was so fresh and so green that Stefeli feasted her eyes on it as she walked through the meadows with her schoolbag on her back.
Stefeli was coming home on the last day of school. No more study until winter. How lovely that day had been the year before when she had walked home with Vinzi, talking over the days ahead. Then there lay before them the whole beautiful summer with its long days on the sunny pasture. But what would happen this summer? Stefeli foresaw many long hot days in the house with the tiresome knitting, and not a single day on the pasture. When she thought about it she sat down in the meadow and sobbed aloud.