Again that hint that I, the child, must take care of my brother, the young man! But the second time the meaning, which the first time I had not understood, burst at once clearly upon me; at first I thought, "Perhaps some mistaken wisdom or serious conduct on my part has deserved this distinction of looking after my brother." Now I discovered that the best guardian was eternal love; and mother and grandmother knew well that I loved Lorand better than he loved himself.
And indeed, what cause had they to fear for him? And from what could I defend him?
Was he not living in the best place in the world? And did I not live far from him?
Grandmother exacted from me a promise to write a diary of all that happened about us, and to send the same to her at the end of each month. I was to write all about Lorand too; for he himself was a very bad letter-writer.
I promised.
Then we kissed and took leave. They had to start early in the morning.
But the next day, when the carriage stood at the door, I was waiting ready dressed for them.
The whole Fromm family came down to the carriage to say adieu to the travellers.
That girl who was going to occupy my place was sad herself. Methought she was much more winning, when sadness made her eyes downcast.
One could see from her eyes that she had been weeping, that she was even now forcibly restraining herself from weeping. She spoke a few short words to me, and then disappeared behind grandmother in the carriage.