Two days later they left for Paris.
Rex accompanied them as far as Schicksalsee, promising to follow them in a few days.
The handsome, soldierly-looking Herr Förster stood by their carriage and gave them a “Glück-liche Reise!” and a warm “Auf Wiedersehen!” as they drove away. Returning up the steps slowly and seriously, he caught the eye of Sepp and Federl, who had been looking after the carriage as it turned out of sight beyond the bridge:
“Schade!” said the Herr Förster, and went into the house.
“Schade!” said Federl.
“Jammer-schade!” growled Sepp.
On the platform at Schicksalsee, Rex and Ruth were walking while they waited for the train. “Ruth,” said Rex, “I hope you never will need a friend’s life to save yours from harm; but if you do, take mine.”
“Yes, Rex.” She raised her eyes and looked into the distance. Far on the horizon loomed the Red Peak.
The clumsy mail drew up beside the platform. It was the year when all the world was running after a very commonplace Operetta with one lovely stolen song: a Volks-song. One heard it everywhere, on both continents; and now as the postillion, in his shiny hat with the cockade, his light blue jacket and white small clothes, and his curly brass horn, came rattling down the street, he was playing the same melody:
Es ist im Leben häßlich eingerichtet—