“Well, so you can,” said the man with a smile. “But do you know, if Vinzi had been a vagabond without the kind of mother they say he has, he would never have been the same. He belongs to a well-brought-up family and comes from parents who look after their children. That’s the reason why he is so nice.”
Heavy steps approached the door at that moment—clearly not the pattering the boys usually made, which was always accompanied with loud yodels and cries.
“Who is outside?” asked Lorenz, opening the door.
A well-knit man whom he knew as a fruit merchant from Leuk stood outside. Lorenz immediately offered him his hand.
“I haven’t seen you for a long time, Lesa. How are things with you? I come with a message from your cousin down there and he sends you his love,” said the man heartily, shaking Lorenz by the hand.
The latter was a little startled, because he felt sure that the visit had been made on Vinzi’s behalf. The man had often travelled over the mountain before and had practically never come to see him. He invited him to step inside and make himself at home. But this could not be done as the merchant had a wagon and two pairs of lively horses waiting for him. He only wanted to deliver his message from Vinzenz Lesa, who had only heard yesterday that a team was going across the mountain. He had, therefore, not had time to write a letter. The farmer had been anxious to use this good opportunity of having his boy brought home. All the fruit dealer added was that he expected to return in two days, when his business was done, and take the boy along.
Lorenz took the matter so much to heart that he could say nothing. He saw that Vinzi must leave in two days.
“I’ll be here on Tuesday at eight in the morning, Lesa,” concluded the man, casting a questioning look at the silent farmer. “I suppose you understand me.”
“Oh, yes, only too well,” replied the other. “The boy will be ready for you in time, you can count on that.”
He followed the man to the road, where stood a great wagon loaded with sacks and harnessed to four strong horses. Just as the big team drove off with loud tinkling of bells, the boys came down singing and shouting with the cattle.