Months passed, until Aloys knew that next Sunday was harvest-home at
Nordstetten. Through the corporal's intervention, he obtained a
furlough for four days, and permission to go in full uniform, with his
shako on his head and his sword at his side. Oh, with what joy did he
put his "fixings" into his shako and take leave of his corporal!

With all his eagerness, he could not refrain from exchanging a word
with the sentry at the gate of the barracks and with the one at the
Tuebingen gate. He must needs inform them that he was going home, and
that they must rejoice with him; and his heart melted with pity for his
poor comrades, who were compelled to walk to and fro in a little yard
for two mortal hours, during which time he was cutting down, step by
step, the distance that lay between him and his home.

He never stopped till he got to Boeblingen. Here he ordered a pint of
wine at the "Waldburg;" but he could not sit quiet in his chair, and
walked away without emptying the glass.

At Nufringen he met Long Hartz's Jake,--the same who had teased him so.
They shook hands, and Aloys heard much news of home, but not a word of
Mary Ann; and he could not make up his mind to inquire after her.

At Bohndorf he forced himself to rest: it was high time to do so; for
his heart was beating furiously. Stretched upon a bench, he reflected
how they all would open their eyes on his arrival: then he stood before
the looking-glass, fixed the shako over his left ear, twisted the curl
at the right side of his forehead, and encouraged himself by a nod of
approbation.

[Illustration: He once more beheld his native village.]

It was dusk when he found himself on the heights of Bildechingen and
once more beheld his native village. He shouted no longer, but stood
calm and firm, laid his hand upon his shako, and greeted his home with
a military salute.

He walked slower and slower, wishing to arrive at night, so as to
astonish them all in the morning. His house was one of the first in the
village: there was a light in the room; and he tapped at the window,
saying,--

"Isn't Aloys here?"

"Lord a'-mercy!" cried his mother: "a gens-d'armes!"

"No: it's me, mother," said Aloys, taking off his shako as he entered,
and clasping her hand.

After the first words of welcome were spoken, his mother expressed her
regret that there was no supper left for him; nevertheless, she went
into the kitchen and fried him some eggs. Aloys stood by her near