At this unexpected reply Mr. Delrick remained silent. A considerable time passed till he said calmly after ripe consideration. “Apparently I can’t get you beyond the idea of his becoming a travelling musician. But let me make you a proposition. I hope you still have some confidence in me?”
“I have,” the other replied firmly.
“Good. Then I’ll propose that you should let me have your boy for a year or longer. I’ll do for him what I would do for my own son. If he comes back and you still think as you do today, a year among strangers will not have harmed him. If he is to spend the rest of his life here on the farm, it won’t be bad if he has learned something. That never has hurt anybody yet.”
Lesa, after considering, suddenly came to a determination. “That can’t be, sir,” he said decisively.
Mr. Delrick asked the reason for this sudden statement.
“I can’t possibly send my son into your house for a whole year when you have paid me more for just a few weeks than was necessary,” Vinzenz Lesa explained.
Mr. Delrick smiled. “I live alone in a large old house, which is very still and empty. Having the boy with me will make a most welcome change, as you can see for yourself. He will bring new life into my existence. But if you are not yet satisfied, I promise to come to you as guest as often as I want to and till we are absolutely even. You know how much I like it here. Please let us settle it, Mr. Lesa. I can only hope you will never regret it.”
Vinzenz Lesa could not help thinking to himself that a year among strangers would benefit Vinzi greatly. After all, the boy had seen very little of other people’s lives. He would meet boys of his own age struggling for their existence and that might teach him to be grateful for his own good fortune. To be taken to the paved streets of a city from his free life in the country might even make him homesick and anxious to come back before the year was out. The father would not ask for more.
“I’ll agree,” said Vinzenz Lesa firmly, pressing the proffered hand to conclude the bargain. “I only want to say one more word. If Vinzi should wish to come home sooner than we have settled, you must let him come.”
Mr. Delrick willingly promised. Then he rose in order to communicate the husband’s new plan to the anxious mother, while his companion took his accustomed evening trip through the barn and stable. Mrs. Lesa could find no words to express her gratitude and joy over this new turn events had taken. Now Vinzi was saved from staying with his dreadful uncle, and how wonderful was the way by which he had been spared! Even if she did not quite know what Mr. Delrick meant to do with Vinzi, she was overjoyed at the prospect that her boy was to spend a whole year with such a man. Vinzi likewise knew no more about his immediate future, but looked forward to everything with joyful confidence. Mr. Delrick had told him that Pater Silvanus’ wishes in regard to him were to be carried out. This meant that he was going to be happy.