"Where outside?"
"In the meadow."
"In which meadow?"
"I don't know;" and Rudi went on munching his pears.
"You won't die early because you know too much," remarked Otto, and went haphazard towards the big meadow that stretched away from the house to the wood.
Presently he discovered three black spots under the pear-trees, and went towards them.
He was right. There was Wiseli stooping over the pears which she was sorting, while a little farther off Cheppi sat astride of his rake; and behind him Hannes lay on his back across the piled-up basket, and rocked it back and forth so violently, that it nearly fell over at each movement. Cheppi looked at him, laughing loudly.
When Wiseli saw Otto coming towards her, her whole countenance glowed with pleasure.
"Good evening, Wiseli," cried the lad from afar. "Why have you not been to school for so long?"
The girl stretched out her hand with a pleasant smile to her friend.