g it again at four. Then towards evening he always went to the Rehbock
to hear the news. All this appeared in a new light before his eyes, now
that Veronica had inquired about his occupation. Then she had encouraged
him so sympathetically to try to get something to do, and promised to be
of service to him if she could. It was exactly as if she had an especial
interest in his welfare. Why did she concern herself about him? Suddenly a
light broke through his darkness.

"Dietrich is gone, and is not likely to come back," he said to himself,
"she detests Jost; and women always do the very thing you least expect
them to; I've heard that a hundred times. She is after me! Good heavens!"
he called out in his surprise as this idea seized him. "A fellow must
spruce up! I will take the first step this very day."

The idea which had seized Blasi's mind that he was to take Dietrich's
place with Veronica, suggested a farther plan. He decided immediately to
become a saddler too, and before he went into his own house, he turned
back and sought Gertrude's garden.

Gertrude's workman was walking up and down, for recreation; for he never
went to the tavern. Blasi went to him and opened his mind; he wanted to be
a saddler, and to learn the trade from him.

The man was quite willing; he bethought himself that it would be rather an
agreeable change to have a young fellow to talk to, instead of merely
sitting all day by the side of the silent widow. He said he would speak to
his employer, and Blasi could come on the morrow. He was sure she would
agree, for she generally took his opinion about the business.

"You see, Blasi," said he pompously, "if I were not there to look after
things, they would all go to ruin. In fact there are only two ways to save
this business; either Dietrich must come back and quickly too, and take
hold of the business better than he ever did before, or else it must fall
into my hands entirely, and I will take all the risks and all the
profits."

"There may be yet a third way; who knows?" said Blasi, significantly, and
he winked so mysteriously first with one eye and then with the other, that
the saddler said to himself, "I guess he's been at the Rehbock."

CHAPTER IX.

MOTHER GERTRUDE ALSO GIVES GOOD ADVICE.

The cold, dismal December days had come. It was always long after dark
now, before Veronica got home; but she never had to hurry, for fear of
going through the wood alone, for there stood Blasi a