I thought I should make the acquaintance of her children, but they speak
a foreign tongue which I do not understand. The young gentleman is off
with the horses and dogs; the girl would like to spend her time in the
meadows with the flowers and beetles, but she is forbidden to do this.
She is already too old to be allowed childish pleasures.
A day or two ago Hermann--God forgive me for still calling him by this
name--came over from the glen to visit his sister. She excused herself
on the plea of illness. Jacob told me that the two were not on very
friendly terms, for she would recognise no sister-in-law who carried
about with her the odour of pitch.
To-day the lady gave a dinner to which the priest and Grassteiger were
invited. A slice from the roast and a glass of wine were sent to me.
Fortunately a beggar was just passing the house, and the food was not
wasted. So to-day two beggars have been fed.
At the dinner, Jacob said, they spoke of me. The lady then related to
them how, as a poor student, I had once lived on charity for a time in
her father's house, how I had then left the school and returned a
vagabond, whereupon her father, out of pity, had sent me to the forest,
where he had since supported me.
Now thou knowest all, Andreas Erdmann; but not a grey hair on that
account, for it would only contaminate the white ones.