This settled it for good. Vinzi went away silently, which was far from pleasing Russli. “You ought to talk to me,” he said a little crossly after they had gone quite a distance.
“I can’t talk well today, something seems to choke me,” replied Vinzi. “But don’t be unhappy. As soon as I get home I’ll send you something for your collection.”
“You don’t need to go home at all,” Russli said with firm conviction. “Faz has thought out something to stop your going. He told Jos about it at the pump. He is going on the street tomorrow morning to wait for the wagon, and as soon as it stops he means to climb up and say that he is the boy from Leuk. Then the man will drive off, and only when they come to the other side of the mountain will Faz jump down and say that he is not the right boy after all. Then he’ll run back. Do you see now? The man can’t do anything then for it will be too far for him to turn back.”
Vinzi was not convinced that his trip could be prevented that way, but he felt quite touched that Faz was so anxious to keep him. He really had seen the least of Faz.
“What are you going to send me for my collection?” Russli inquired.
“I don’t want to tell you,” replied Vinzi. “If it is a surprise, you’ll like it so much better.”
“Is it something to eat?” Russli asked, nevertheless.
“No, and not anything to drink, either,” said Vinzi, “but I won’t tell you anything more about it or it won’t be a surprise.”
After taking leave of Russli at the pasture Vinzi went up to the convent as usual. He had been told always to go straight to the large room and wait for Pater Silvanus there. This was usually only a short time, but when the Pater entered today, Vinzi did not stand in his usual mood of happy anticipation at the harmonium, and his eyes did not glisten. On the contrary he came up to the monk quite crushed, and after a questioning look sadly informed him that this was to be the last lesson, as he was going home tomorrow.
“Oh, what a shame, what a shame!” said Pater Silvanus slowly. “But won’t you be able to keep up your music at home?”