They came within the border of the wood which belonged to Landolin. On
the side where the sun is most searching and powerful, the bark of the
mighty pine-trees was torn open, and the resin was dropping into the
tubs which were set for it.
"It's a pity for the beautiful trees," said Anton; "your father mustn't
tap such trees as these hereafter; they are good for lumber. He must
leave them to me."
Thoma begged him to be very careful how he dealt with her father, for
he would not bear opposition.
"I don't know," she added, "it seems to me father is very----very
irritable to-day. I don't know why."
"But I know. He is vexed because he has to give you up. You'll see, I
shall be so too in a thousand weeks. But a man must be a grandfather
before----"
"Oh you!" interrupted Thoma, coloring.
They kept on deeper into the forest, away from the path, and sat down
on the soft, yielding moss at the foot of a far-branching pine.
"We have had enough kissing, let me rest a little now, I'm tired," said
Thoma, as she leaned against the tree. She smiled when Anton hastily
made his coat into a pillow for her head.
Lilies of the valley blossomed at their feet. Anton plucked one, and
with it stroked Thoma's cheek and forehead, gently singing the while
all manner of nursery songs, and magic charms.
++
I wish thee a night of repose,
A canopy of the wild rose,
Young May-bells to pillow thy head,
Sleep soft in thy flowery bed.
And where two lovers sit thus together, in the depth of the forest,
there streams from the mists arising heavenward, and from the murmuring
and rustling in the tree-tops, that same subtle enchantment and delight
which resounds in song, and is portrayed in fairy tales, where trees
and grass and wild beasts speak.
"Hark; there's a finch," said Anton. "Do you remember the story about
the finch?"
"No; tell it to me."
"Once a young man went through a field to visit his sweetheart, and the
finch called out: 'Wip! Wip!' (wife, wife.) 'That's just what I want,'
said the young man. As he was on his way home again the finch cried:
'Bethink you well. Bethink you well.' Now we, dear Thoma, have
bethought ourselves well. Fly on, finch, we don't need your help. 'Wip!
Wip!'"
"How tender you are!" said Thoma, smiling; then she shut her eyes, and
soon she was fast asleep. As Anton looked at her she seemed to become
more beautiful, but she must have gone to sleep with some willful
impulse in her mind, for her face had a strained expression.
From a little stone near by, some lizards looked with their bright,
knowing eyes at the slumberer and her guard. They shuffled noiselessly
away, and presently others came to see the wonder. Dragon-flies in
green and gold came flying through the air, brushed against each other,
and sped away. A gay butterfly lighted on Thoma's forehead, just at the
parting of her hair, and rested there like a diadem. On the highest
twig of the tree, a green finch perched. He turned his head, saw the
sleeping girl, and flew swiftly away. A cuckoo alighted from his
flight, and sounded his cry. Thoma awoke, and looked around bewildered.
"Good morning, my darling," said Anton, "you have been my betrothed
ever since yesterday."
"Have I slept very long?" asked she.
"No, not very, but surely you dreamt something strange. What was it?"
"I never tell dreams; I don't believe in them. Come, let us go home."
And so they started homeward.