Part 21 (2/2)
”Tell her to come here; that I have got home.”
”I called to her through the closed door, but she did not answer.”
Landolin seated himself in the great arm-chair, and his wife gave thanks to G.o.d that her husband sat there once more. She had often doubted that he ever would again. Landolin looked at her, and it seemed to him that she reeled to and fro, and that the room and furniture were all in motion. He straightened himself with an effort, went out on the porch, and knocked at Thoma's door. Nothing moved.
”Thoma, I am here, your father.”
The door was unbolted and Thoma stood before him. In a constrained voice she said: ”Welcome, father!”
”Have you nothing more to say to me?”
”You never liked people to talk much.”
Landolin took his daughter's hand, which she had not offered him.
”My child, do you no longer love me?”
”I should never ask a child such a question.”
”My child, I am a poor man; as poor as a beggar. Do you understand me?”
Thoma shook her head, and her father continued:
”I have sinned against you all, especially against you; but now I beg you to forgive me. Don't let me perish.” His heart beat so fast that he could not speak another word. As Thoma still remained silent, he turned quickly away, and went with tottering steps to the living-room. He listened to hear if Thoma would not follow him; but he heard nothing.
He looked at the table in the living-room, and asked:
”Is that a new table?”
”No, but Thoma had it planed because the holes were there.”
Landolin remembered having stuck the fork in the table.
Steps were now heard. It was not Thoma, but the pastor, who came. His words were kind and comforting, but Landolin stared at him blankly.
True, he saw him, but he heard him not; his thoughts were with his daughter, who was so terribly changed. It was not until the pastor mentioned Cus.h.i.+on-Kate, and said that she had grown wild and uncontrollable, and talked most blasphemously, that Landolin paid any attention to what he said. And when the pastor added that it seemed as if Cus.h.i.+on-Kate had gone crazy, he cried:
”There are insane asylums for such people. She should be put into one.
The town can pay for it.”
”That's not so easily done; the district physician will have to order it.”
Thoma had unexpectedly appeared, and brought in the supper, which she had had prepared. The pastor started to leave, but upon Thoma's and her mother's entreaties he remained. They needed a man of peace to bring quiet and concord. The meal-time pa.s.sed cheerfully, and Landolin ate ravenously. During a pause, he asked: ”Herr Pastor, is neither the young bailiff nor any of the councilmen at home? It would be no more than proper for them to call. They must have known that I was coming.”
The pastor seemed to find no answer, and Landolin's wife spared him embarra.s.sment by reminding her husband that he had said that he would no longer concern himself about other people.
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