Be that as it may, we will proceed with our daily work. To-day I was in
the Miesenbach woods to look at the trees which are destined for the
school-building.
As I passed by the black hut, the Einspanig came out. He had been to
visit Lazarus, but the boy was not at home. He is now goatherd with the
wood-cutters in the Upper Winkel. Adelheid reproached the Einspanig
bitterly at first; but then she hid her face in her apron and sobbing,
said: "I know it well, you deserve the Kingdom of Heaven for what you
have done for my child!"
The Einspanig and I walked together toward Winkelsteg. The people whom
we met were laughing over the story that we had been gambled away. Old
Ruepel said: "In honour of Moses my beard I 'll retain, and as long as I
live, I 'll not cut it again."
"Yes, yes," I said to my companion. "So now we are Jewish, and we shall
have a Polish Rabbi in our temple. Our young master, Judas
Schrankenheim, has betrayed us so neatly!"
The Einspanig stopped and stared at me in astonishment, finally saying:
"I did not think you so stupid, Erdmann." And after a little he added:
"A respectable man should not believe such foolish reports. How then
could young Schrankenheim have gambled us away? He is not yet master of
his father's possessions, and has not even reached his majority."