Part 22 (2/2)
The quiet did not last long, for Landolin tossed back and forth on his bed, and sighed and groaned.
”What is the matter? Aren't you tired?”
”Oh, wife, I can't make it real that I am not alone; and that the sword no longer hangs over my head. I see the counselor's glittering eye-gla.s.s on its black ribbon all the time. Indeed, you haven't your old husband any more. You have another--and I can't abide the fellow, he's so soft-hearted. I wish you would often remind me not to care for what other people think. They have forgotten me, and I'll do what I can to forget them. Only you must be very patient with me; but don't give up to me, and don't let me be so soft-hearted.”
The strong man wept bitter tears in the depth of the night, and called out, almost with a curse:
”May my eyes run out if I ever weep again, as long as we two live together! I make this promise to you, and to myself. Others cannot embitter my life, if I do not embitter it myself. Yes, yes!
Self-defense! Self-defense!”
His wife lighted a candle, and tried to comfort the self-tormented man.
He said, at length:
”One thing more. Cus.h.i.+on-Kate called after me, that I must make away with myself--I won't do that, for your sake.”
His wife stroked his hand, wet with freshly-fallen tears.
”I won't give people the satisfaction of thinking we need sympathy.
Leave the candle burning; and then, if I wake up again, I shall know I am no longer in prison. Good-night, we'll go to sleep now.”
He slept until late in the day. His wife rose gently and went about her work, carefully avoiding the least noise that might wake her husband.
She blessed every moment that brought him sleep and exhilarating strength and health.
CHAPTER XLII.
Thoma was still in the harvest field when Landolin came into the living-room. His wife sat down beside him, and he said:
”You can't think how different food tastes when one has to eat it alone, in prison.”
”Don't let your thoughts run back to that all the time.”
”Has any one been here to see me?”
”No. But remember what you said last night.”
Yes, that was easily said; but Landolin could not help thinking of the people outside, and how it could be possible that they were not at least curious to look at him again.
He looked out of the window. Heavily laden grain-wagons pa.s.sed by, but no farmer, no servant, so much as gave a glance toward his house. The new bailiff came up the road, steadying the wagon with his pitchfork.
He had evidently seen Landolin from a distance; for, not far from the house, he walked to the other side of the wagon, where he could not be seen.
Landolin drew back into the room, and seating himself in the great arm-chair he drummed awhile on its arms, then went into the bedroom and pulled on his high boots.
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