s those of his master, but the rain
and snow had obliterated them, and her eyes, full of tears, soon saw
nothing but a grey, impenetrable mist.

She ran back into the house and began to question Mikolai. Where had
Martin gone? He must know, for between him and his friend there was
always a perfect understanding.

Her stepson stared at her in amazement. Why was she so angry? Becker
would be sure to come back when it grew dark. Maybe he had gone to the
village; it was long since he, Mikolai, knew anything about his
whereabouts.

That did not add to the woman's peace of mind. So Martin kept away from
Mikolai too. He was separating himself more and more from them all. "O
God, have mercy! let him come back, let him come back!" She was like a
hunted hind that is seeking a place of shelter.

So she ran to Rosa. It was long since she had been to her room; she had
not found time to go. But why had Rosa kept away from her? Surely it
was more fitting for the child to come to her mother than the mother
to her child? Now, however, in her great anxiety she fled to her
tender-hearted daughter.

At first Rosa was somewhat reserved. There was something shy and
strange in her behaviour towards her mother, but the latter did not
notice anything; all she wanted was a soul, a friend to share her
anxiety.

"I don't know where Becker is," she began. "It's already dark and he
hasn't returned yet. He has never gone away like this before, never
stopped away so long without saying a word. O God, surely nothing can
have happened to him?" she cried, pressing her [Pg 291] hands to her
temples with an expression of dread. "Oh, this fear, this fear!"

The woman no longer thought of hiding her feelings; there was a look of
wild terror in her eyes, and her agitated voice was full of despair.

Rosa's face had flamed when her mother came into the room, but she
turned deadly pale now. She did not answer, but she gazed at her mother
as though she were trying to read her soul.

A shot was heard in the Przykop. Mrs. Tiralla gave a shrill scream.

"A gamekeeper is shooting," said Rosa.

"They surely can't have hit him? Oh, if he were in the Przykop and they
had wounded him? But that"--Mrs. Tiralla gave an excited laugh--"would
not be the worst. If only he comes back, if only he comes back! Do you
think he could go away without saying good-bye?" she asked her daughter
eagerly, casting an imploring glance at her. If only the girl would
say, "He'll