r's hand and opened the
door. There the lady of the house met him, who for some time with
impatience had been walking up and down in the garden, for she was sure
that this caller, who stayed so long, was somehow connected with the
lost Erick, and she could not understand why her husband did not call
her. Sally, from the same expectation and greater impatience, followed
her every step. When now the mother had seen from the garden, that the
strange gentleman had risen, she could bear it no longer; she must know
what was going on. When she stepped on the threshold at the moment when
the stranger opened the door, then politeness demanded that the parson
introduce his wife, and the stranger from politeness was obliged to step
back into the room when the master of the house introduced his wife to
him with the words: "Colonel von Vestentrop from Denmark. You indeed
will be delighted to hear this name."

The lady stepped toward the colonel with visible delight and said
excitedly: "Is it possible? But at what a moment! But you will stay with
us, Colonel, for your dear grandchild must be found. The sweet boy
cannot be lost, he must have lost his way."

"Pardon me, my gracious lady," the colonel here interrupted her politely,
but somewhat stiffly, "I shall start at once. You are under a delusion;
I have no grandchild, and I must bid you good-bye."

At mention of the name "Vestentrop", Sally had grown very red; and she
trembled all over, during the conversation that followed. Now she
restrained herself no longer. Tears poured from her eyes, and with the
greatest agitation she sobbed: "Indeed, indeed, he is, I know it, he has
told me himself; but I dared not tell it to anyone."

"Well, the boy has found at least one good friend and defender," said
the colonel well-pleased, and wanted to pat Sally's cheeks, but she
withdrew quickly, for she first wanted to know whether the gentleman
would believe and recognize Erick, before she would let him touch her.

The mother too was struck to the core by this incredulity. Her husband
had whispered a few words to her, so she understood at once the whole
situation.

"Colonel," she now said, placing herself before him, "do not act in such
haste. Let me prevail on you to stay a few days, yes, even this one day!
The dear child must, and will be found, please God! See him first. Learn
to know the treasure which you are about to give up so lightly. If you
could know what sunshine you want to wit