Part 75 (2/2)
Walpurga and Hansei started off by the road along the lake, the grandmother, with the child on her arm, standing at the garden hedge and looking after them. She softly repeated to the child: ”mother,” and it suddenly called out ”mother” in a loud voice. Walpurga turned round and wanted to hug the child, but it again tried to hide from her, and cried when she attempted to kiss it. Hansei stood by, and was so vexed that he raised his hand as if to strike the child, but Walpurga pacified him and said: ”We must wait.”
The second bell was ringing, and they hurried on. On the way, they were joined by men, women and children coming from the village and various farms in the neighborhood. Hansei longed to drive them away, and he once said, softly, ”I'd like to go with you, alone.”
”Be patient,” said Walpurga, ”don't begrudge them their delight in our happiness.” She was affable to all. Hansei looked out over the lake, then up at the sky, and then again at his wife, as if to say: ”She's here again.” He smiled when he heard the children saying: ”She's the grandest peasant now--she comes right after the queen.”
The third bell, or the ringing in, which generally lasts a full quarter of an hour, had just begun, when Hansei and his wife reached the church. Many churchgoers were standing about in groups and welcomed them. There was still time to remain there, chatting for awhile; but Walpurga took her husband's hand and went into the church with him.
They were the first to enter. Walpurga took her usual seat in the place allotted to the women, and Hansei went into that a.s.signed to the men.
Thus they were together and yet apart. The bells overhead were still ringing out their merry peal, while they sat there in silent introspection. Once only did Hansei nod to his wife, but she shook her head deprecatingly.
The playing of the organ began, and the people poured into church.
Walpurga knew that such and such a one was near her, but she did not wish to be welcomed or greeted by any one in such a place. She felt that the eye of the Invisible One was resting upon her.
The pastor preached of the return to the everlasting home. It seemed as if his words were intended for Hansei and Walpurga; as if he were speaking only to them.
When the sermon was over and prayers were offered for the king, the queen and the royal family, there was strange whispering in the church.
Walpurga felt that all eyes were directed upon her, and did not look up.
The service was over. The congregation left the church, and Walpurga was now welcomed by the latecomers.
The s.e.xton came to Walpurga and Hansei, and said that the pastor wished to see them in the vestry. They went in. The pastor again welcomed them, spoke of their good fortune, and admonished them to be humble.
”Yes, yes,” said Hansei, ”my mother-in-law said almost the same thing.”
The pastor promised to visit them before long, and said that he was proud to have such a woman among his paris.h.i.+oners. Hansei put out his hand as if to check him, and felt like answering: ”What's the use of your warning us against pride when you tell us such things yourself?”
The pastor motioned him to be quiet, and went on to say: ”I shall visit the capital next week, and you must do me the favor, Walpurga, to give me a letter to Countess von Wildenort.”
”With all my heart,” said Walpurga.
When they were out of doors again, Hansei looked at his wife from head to foot. And so even the pastor would ask his wife to intercede for him. Yes, she was a splendid wife, if all that couldn't turn her head.
”Oh Hansei,” said Walpurga suddenly, ”what a pack of fools they all are. They do all they can to make one proud, and if one were to become so, they'd do nothing but abuse you.”
Hansei was on the point of saying that he had thought the very same thing, but, before he had a chance to do so, he saw Schneck the tailor coming down the mountainside, and carrying his great ba.s.s viol. The weak and delicate-looking man, with the great instrument on his back, presented quite an odd appearance.
”Heigho! why here's the wedding party,” exclaimed the tailor, while he left the meadow path and ran up the road to shake hands with Hansei and Walpurga.
”What's the matter? what are you going to do?”
”I'm going to play for you to-day.”
”For us? Who ordered you?”
”What a pity my wife didn't live to see this day. How happy it would have made her. Don't you know about it? There's going to be a great feast at the Chamois, in honor of your return, Walpurga, and the innkeeper has engaged me and six other musicians. The forest keeper, the chief forester, all the judges of the court, and everybody for six leagues around, have been invited. How stupid that I've only got my ba.s.s viol with me, or else I'd play you a piece, right here on the road.”
”There you have it,” whispered Walpurga to her husband, ”the innkeeper makes money out of everything. If he only could do it, he'd have fiddle-strings stretched over my back, and have the skin drawn off of you to make drum-heads with.”
”Go on; we'll follow,” said Hansei to the tailor. He was annoyed when others joined them on their way home. He wanted to be alone with his wife. No one should have a share of her; she belonged to him alone.
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