The Captain lifted Fritz and perched him on his knee.—Page 296.
Carl stared with round eyes at the splendid Herr Baron, while Annchen demurely dropped her courtesy. The captain lifted Fritz and perched him on his knee.
"My fine fellow," he said, "you have your father's face,"—and he stroked Fritz's yellow hair, while Fritz played with the bright buttons of the uniform. The captain and the mother went on talking. Annchen did not understand all they said, but she saw that her mother looked happier than for a long time before, and that made her feel happy too.
At last the captain rose to go. He kissed the children, and Annchen saw him put a purse into her mother's hands.
"I take shame to myself that I left you so long without aid," he said; "but keep up heart, dame. Your pension will no doubt be granted you, and I will see that you and the children are cared for, as a brave man's family should be. So good-day, and God bless you!"
"May He bless you, Herr Baron," sobbed the widow, as he went away.
"What is it, mother,—why do you cry?" asked little Carl at last, pulling her sleeve.
"For joy, dear. The good Baron has brought your father's back pay. I can discharge my debts now, and you need hunger no more."
"It is the good luck come at last. I knew it would," said Annchen.