Part 2 (1/2)
”You make arrangements far in advance; it's a long time from now to the middle of July; but never mind. We thank you for the honor, but we cannot join you,” said Landolin, with decision.
”All right, we need go only one house farther,” quickly answered the mountain prince, his face reddening. He was about turning away, when Anton interrupted:
”Pardon me; but if I have rightly understood the ex-bailiff, he is going to leave the decision to his daughter.”
The farmer compressed his lips craftily, then said:
”Yes, yes; you are right. And mind you, I shall not say a word to her, and you shall find that she will give you the same answer that I gave.”
”May I ask why?” inquired the mountain prince.
”You may ask,” answered the peasant, going to the door and calling to Thoma to bring wine and something to eat. It seemed as if Thoma had already prepared this, for she came immediately, the young men following her movements with admiring eyes. She poured the wine, they touched their gla.s.ses, and Anton had begun to repeat his request, when she interrupted him:
”Say no more!”
Anton turned pale, and Thoma blushed; their eyes met, and Thoma's eyelids dropped. In a moment, however, she looked up frankly, and continued:
”I have heard all that has been said.”
”Bravo! that's splendid!” cried Anton; ”pardon me, but I imagine there are few who would so honestly confess that they had been listening.”
”I thank you for your praise, but it is nothing--that is, I mean being honest deserves no praise.”
The farmer shrugged his shoulders, and opened his mouth with delight.
”He's getting it now,” thought he, ”she pays in good coin.”
Turning to her father, Thoma continued:
”Father, did you really mean that I should do as I choose?”
”Certainly! Whatever you say will be right.”
”Then I say yes; I accept the honor with thanks.”
Fidelis, who was standing at the door, bit his lip to keep from laughing aloud; and an expression of astonishment spread itself over the faces of the farmer and the three young men. The mountain-prince and the other farmer's son thanked Thoma and shook hands with her, but when Anton offered his hand she turned quickly away, and busied herself with the plates and gla.s.ses.
Meanwhile the farmer's wife had entered, unnoticed, and now, whilst they were enjoying the refreshment, spoke to them all, for she knew their mothers. Turning to Anton, she expressed her sympathy at his mother's death, saying that she was a most excellent woman, and that her happiness must have been great indeed when her only son returned from the war, safe and with honor.
After the three young men had gone, the farmer's wife said:
”Anton's a splendid fellow, he pleases me best of them all.”
”Do you think so too?” the farmer was about to ask his daughter, but he refrained, and only answered:
”He has a tongue like a lawyer's; the only real substantial farmer is t.i.tus's son and heir.”