Carefully going on, he discovered a little spot free of plants. Here he could sit down in the middle of the flowers without hurting them. In silent rapture he gazed at the glory about him.
The sun was beating down from a cloudless sky but the fresh mountain breeze fanned his cheek and made him bless the hot rays. The dark blue sky stretched close over the gleaming field of roses, the gray ranges and green, sunny slopes. The mighty snow peak opposite rose high into the air and thundering streams flung their snow-white foam sunwards, so that they sparkled in a thousand colors.
Vinzi must have been sitting there dreaming a long while. Suddenly he became conscious of the sun being nearly above his head, which meant that it was practically noon. Starting up at once, he ran in big leaps over the flowery field, putting his feet down so that he did not crush a single rose. Then he crossed the road and still kept on running across the other meadow to the old tower. Vinzi planted himself immediately in front of the grandfather, who was still sitting on his wind-sheltered bench in the sunshine. But he had to take a deep breath before he could attempt to speak.
“What is it, boy? Why are you in such a hurry?” calmly asked the grandfather.
“I am a bit late. I meant to be here much sooner,” replied the boy, having at last gained his breath. “Black Vereli sent me here because you wanted to hear me play the pipe.”
“Oh, I see, you are the boy who carves the pipes and who is supposed to play so well,” said the old man. “It is nice of you to come here. Sit down beside me on the bench and tell me where you come from and to whom you belong.”
Vinzi, after sitting down, told the old man about his family and that he was staying for a while with his uncle Lorenz Lesa.
“I know him,” said the grandfather. “He is a splendid man. Did he object to your coming up here?”
Vinzi answered that his uncle had bidden him to go and stay as long as the grandfather wished.
“Oh, I am glad; then you can play something for me. But I think we had better have some food first.” With these words the old man rose, but changing his mind suddenly, he resumed his seat again.