And in honour of New Switzerland they emptied their glasses which had been filled with the Canary wine which Mme. Zermatt substituted for the native wine on great occasions.
"And three cheers for those who want to stay here whatever happens!" added Ernest and Jack.
Fritz had not said a word, and Jenny was silent and hung her head.
Afterwards, when the visitors had gone in the ship's boat sent from the Unicorn to fetch them, and Fritz was alone with his mother he embraced her without venturing to speak.
Then seeing her so affected by the idea that her eldest son was thinking of leaving her, he dropped upon his knees beside her and cried:
"No, mother, no; I will not go away!"
And Jenny, who had joined them, threw herself into Mme. Zermatt's arms and said over and over again:
"Forgive me! forgive me, if I am causing you pain; I who love you as if you were my own mother! But, over there ... my father ... have I any right to hesitate?"
Mme. Zermatt and Jenny remained together. And when their conversation was ended it seemed as if Betsy were almost resigned to a separation.
M. Zermatt and Fritz came back at this moment and Jenny returned to M. Zermatt.