want? Tell me quickly. I'm going to meet Veronica; she can't
come home alone through the woods after dusk."

"Well, look here," said Blasi, breathing hard with his haste, and holding
Dietrich by the arm. "You see, I'm in trouble for want of a few francs or
so. Can't you lend them to me? I'll give them back again very soon."

"I haven't that much about me now. Stop a minute--yes, here are two francs
and here's a half; will that be enough?" and throwing the money to Blasi,
the young man hastened away.

As evening drew on, Gertrude stood at the end of the garden and looked
down the road. She listened to every sound that came from below. She was
waiting for her children's voices, for the sound of their footsteps; her
children, who made her life, her happiness, her hope! Ah! there they are!
that is Dietrich's voice talking eagerly, while Veronica's bell-like
laugh sounds clear through the still evening air. With a heart filled to
overflowing with happiness, Gertrude went forth to meet them.

As they sat together round the table in their usual cheerful mood, the
mother asked for an account of this, Veronica's first day among strangers,
and how she liked her new work.

"Very much indeed, mother," was the answer, and the young girl's face
beamed with a smile that swept away all trace of the clouds that sometimes
marred its beauty.

"I can't tell you how delightful it is to be able to earn so much. But
after all, mother dear, the best part is that I can come home to you at
night."

"That's what I think too," said Dietrich quickly, and you had but to look
in his eyes to see that he spoke the truth.

"And I am as glad as either of you," said Gertrude smiling. "It has been a
long day for me. It seems a great while since you started off this
morning, Veronica."

"What! when your only son was sitting by you all day long?" asked Dietrich
playfully.

"Oh, you know what I mean. I need you both to make me perfectly happy, and
cannot spare either of you;" and she looked from one to the other with
caressing glances.

Veronica told them all about the new teacher and the new work, and it was
late in the evening before the three separated for the night.

CHAPTER V.

UPON UNSAFE PATHS.

After this evening, Dietrich was scarcely ever able to go on his walk
alone. Blasi had always some pretext for joining him, and when Jost found
out that regularly every evening his friend took the same walk at the same
hour, he too di