Franz's father and mother turned quickly toward him. His four sisters
leaned eagerly forward in their chairs and even Franz was interested. An
unreadable smile played on Father Paul's lips.
"Tell us," Franz's father pleaded.
"Very well," Father Paul agreed. "Had there been no news of Emil, I'd
have had reason to come here, anyway. When I returned from Martigny,
there was a message waiting--"
He stopped for a moment, and Franz's father begged, "Father Paul, please
go on!"
Father Paul smiled. "It was a message from the Prior of St. Bernard
Hospice. Franz has been chosen as a _maronnier_, and he is to report as
soon as possible."
"No!" Franz whooped.
His father looked sternly at him. "Please, Franz! Speak quietly or do
not speak!"
"Let the boy shout," Father Paul reproved him. "There have been so many
doors to which he could not find the key. At long last, one has swung
wide and beckons him in."