SPRING was here again and all the trees and hedges were in bloom. Stefeli could not gaze her fill at the fresh green grass, as she wandered through the meadows with her school-bag on her back. The golden buttercups were gleaming here and there among the grasses, and red daisies were nodding merrily in the breeze.
Stefeli was coming home from her last day of school for that season. How lovely that day had been a year ago when she had walked home with Vinzi and they had discussed the joys of the coming holidays. The whole summer had lain before them with the delightful prospect of many perfect days on the pasture. They would sit again under the ash tree as long as they pleased, or look for berries on the bushes. Then they would have to chase Schwärzeli and be altogether as free as the birds that whistled in the trees above them. But what would the coming summer be like? Stefeli only saw before her many hot days to be spent in the room with her hateful knitting. She would probably not be able to spend one of them on the pasture, and at this thought she sat down on the edge of the meadow and sighed aloud.
But Stefeli could never remain unhappy very long. Suddenly remembering that the wild strawberries behind the barn had been nearly ripe two days ago, she felt the need to inspect them. Quickly jumping up, she ran towards the house first, in order to rid herself of her heavy load of books. But hurriedly flinging open the door of the living room, she stood stock-still upon the threshold, dumb with astonishment.
An unknown man sat opposite her mother confidentially talking to her, and beside him was a boy of Vinzi’s age who took a lively part in the conversation. The mother was wearing a happier face than she had shown for a long while, and every few moments Vinzi’s name was mentioned between them.
“I suppose this is your little daughter,” said the man, glancing towards the door. “Come here, Stefeli, I am no stranger. I am your Uncle Lorenz, and this is Jos, a good friend of Vinzi’s.”
Stefeli came joyfully up to greet the two whom Vinzi had loved so dearly. They seemed very welcome just at this time when she had felt so especially lonely. She shook Uncle Lorenz’s hand trustfully, for he gazed at her with such friendly eyes. It also made her happy to look at Jos, constantly smiling at her, as if he wished to say, “We’ll get along well together.”
Stefeli turned towards her uncle and said casually, “Isn’t Jos going to stay with us all summer? You know Vinzi stayed with you just as long as that.”
The uncle laughed.
“I call it a real welcome to be expected to stay all summer. But we’ll have to talk with your father and see what he says. Why don’t you take Jos out with you a little and see how you get along together?”
This did not have to be urged. Stefeli, taking her cousin’s hand, drew him happily after her. He must see everything in the stable and the barn, the garden and the chicken-yard; it was just as if Vinzi were home again and could share all her delights.