Mr. Thornau was anxious to take immediate leave, as he had planned to journey on as soon as he knew his children were in good hands. Then Mrs. Lesa consulted him about their life, what their occupations and pleasures were to be. Her own children had always led the most simple life, she told him. Mr. Thornau wished for nothing better than to give them the life hers were leading. To be up on the pasture from morning till evening would be the best for them he could hope for. The rest of the time Mrs. Lesa could judge for herself.
To his great disappointment Alida’s music lessons had been given up. He had always enjoyed her playing. His chief wish was to see them both come back to him sunburnt and with blooming cheeks, just as her own lad looked.
Taking Mrs. Lesa a little apart, pointing to his sad-looking, pale boy, he added, “I am sure I won’t have to specially recommend him to your care. Just look at him! He never was very strong or happy, and since he has lost his mother he is worse than ever. No life, no spirits, no interest in anything! The doctor actually insisted on my sending him away.”
Mr. Thornau quickly took farewell till the autumn, when he planned to see them all.
Just then Jos and Stefeli, merrily chatting, came home with the cows. Jos disappeared in the stable as usual and Stefeli slowly approached the house. There was no hurry, for her mother was busy in the kitchen and Jos would not come back yet for at least an hour.
Suddenly her slow steps turned into great leaps, for at the strawberry hedge she had discovered two figures. Could it really be true? And yet it was! With a cry of joy Stefeli ran over to Alida and Hugo. Alida also greeted Stefeli with loud, continued expressions of delight.
“But where is Vinzi?” asked Alida when the greetings were over.
Stefeli told her how long he had been away and that no one knew when he would come back.
Alida looked extremely disappointed, but Stefeli always had a consolation ready.
“I am sure he’ll come home while you are here. Jos is here, too, and you’ll be sure to like him. Will you stay all summer long?”