One of them carried a tin box in his hand; there was a lock on the box, and a small opening in the top—evidently a money-box.
"Gelobt sei Jesus Christus," said the children, and remained standing near the door.
"In Ewigkeit," returned Siegwart. "Are you there again, my little ones? That's right; come here, Edward." And Siegwart took out his purse and dropped a few pennies into the box.
"A savings-box? Who gave the permission?" said the assessor in a tone that frightened the children, astonished Richard, and caused Siegwart to look with embarrassment at the questioner.
"For the pope, Herr von Hamm," said Siegwart.
The official air of the assessor became more severe.
"The ordinances make no exceptions," retorted Hamm. "The ordinances forbid all collections that are not officially permitted." And he eyed the box as if he had a notion to confiscate it.
Perhaps the lads noticed this, for they moved backward to the door and suddenly disappeared from the room.
"I beg pardon, Herr Assessor," said Siegwart. "The Peter-pence is collected in the whole Catholic world, and the Catholics of Salingen thought they ought to assist the head of their church, who is so sorely pressed, and who has been robbed of his possessions."
"I answer—the ordinances make no exceptions; the Peter-pence comes under the ordinances. I find myself compelled to interpose against this trespass."