How this is going to affect me I do not know. Perhaps it would be best
to take a few weeks' vacation and go away from here.
Outside in the cities the troops are playing havoc; they are breaking
into palaces and barricading streets. For that reason she is coming.
The general's wife, Hermann's beautiful sister, whom I have so foolishly
adored, is coming.
In the house by the lake there is no more room, so she flees with her
children to us. Thank God that our Winkelsteg is able to offer her a
refuge in these times!
And I will not go away after all. I will remain and be strong and not
betray myself. I will look straight into her eyes once before I die.
I feel that God means well by me. The light of her eyes will illumine
the dark wooded hills, her breath will soften and consecrate the Alpine
air. And even though she goes away again, Winkelsteg, where she has
dwelt, will be my home.
We have built a beautiful high arch of pine-boughs before the house and
decorated the altar in the church with wreaths.
Everything is ready, but no one has thought to have the stones removed
from the road. Such women have tenderer feet than those dwelling in the
mountains.
For a day and two nights I have been digging the stones out of the road.
The people may laugh, but I am only thankful that the moon was shining.