nudged each other and
looked out stealthily. The children came up and kissed Gregory's hand.

Ivo came also. Perhaps the young clergyman perceived the boy's tremor
and the pious warmth of his kiss; for he held his hand a while, stroked
his cheek, and asked, "What's your name, my dear?"

"Ivo."

"And your father's?"

"Valentine the carpenter."

"Give my love to your parents, and be good and pious."

[Illustration: Ivo hastened home and told the whole adventure.]

Ivo remained spell-bound long after the men had passed on: it seemed as
if a saint had appeared and conversed with him. He looked upon the
ground in wonder; then, hastening home in long leaps, he told the whole
adventure.

The family were seated on the timbers under the walnut-tree, Nat not
far from them, upon a stone by the door. Ivo went to him and told him
what had happened; but the ploughman was out of humor that day, and Ivo
sat down at his father's feet.

It had grown dark, and little was spoken. Once only Koch the
cabinet-maker said, "I'd like to see you get money under five per
cent."

Nobody answered. Ivo looked up at his father with a silent light
beaming out of his eyes: no one could guess what was stirring in that
infant soul.

"Father," said Ivo, "does Christian the tailor's gentleman sleep just
like other folks?"

"Yes; but not as long as you do: if you want to be a gentleman you must
get up early and mind your prayers and your books. Off with you now to
bed."

Ivo's mother went with him; and in his evening prayer he included the
name of the minister as well as those of his parents and his sister.

The ceremony was not without immediate results. The next day, our old
friend Hansgeorge, of the pipe of war, called, with his son Peter, on
the chaplain at Horb; and rich Johnny of the Bridge, sometimes called
Mean Johnny, brought his son Constantine, a bright, quick-witted lad.
Both of them were admitted to the grammar-school at once: Ivo was yet
too young.

We shall probably meet with both of these boys again. For the present
we must remain with Ivo and watch the progress of his boyhood as
closely as we can.

2.
THE TEACHER.

The schoolmaster of the village was a clear-headed man, but of a
violent temper. His fancy and his strong point was music. He had but
little influence on Ivo,--which is not surprising, as he had a hundred
and twenty boys to attend to. The