“Mr. Thornau,” she said, “won’t you stay here till evening when my husband comes home? Then we can talk it over.”
“And what does his wife say?” asked Mr. Thornau.
“Oh, she would love to take their mother’s place for a time, if she could,” replied Mrs. Lesa.
“I am glad!” he exclaimed with satisfaction.
He was willing to wait for Mr. Lesa and settled meanwhile under the shady walnut trees with his children.
Vinzenz Lesa looked with surprise at the guests he found waiting before his house. But there was not much time for wondering, because Mr. Thomau had gone up to him and eloquently informed him of the reason for this visit. He was sure Mr. Lesa would not shut his door against him and especially his children, who had declared that they would not spend their summer anywhere in the world except at Mr. Lesa’s residence. He had come with the firm hope that Mr. Lesa would not turn them away and begged him not to propose a house in the neighborhood they already knew, as the children simply would not go back there. He had no intention, either, of forcing them to it. It meant either Mr. Lesa’s house or going home again. As it was impossible for him to stay with the children just then, he could not leave them anywhere else alone.
Vinzenz Lesa was not displeased at hearing the gentleman’s words—either his house or none. But still, one could not tell what these children might bring into his home, for he hardly knew the people.
After reflecting a while he answered, “It falls to my wife; looking after children is her affair.”
This suited him best. If his wife wanted to keep them, as he suspected already, it would be his wife’s concern. If they got into mischief, she would have to look out for them, for she had taken them in.
“With pleasure,” replied Mr. Thornau. Quickly turning to Mrs. Lesa he said, “Everything is settled, I suppose, for I think you have already said yes in your heart.” Mrs. Lesa heartily shook Mr. Thornau’s hand, for he had been right. She had long ago decided to keep the motherless children and show them all the affection she was capable of.