eary, he brought it home in his arms. They would not
find another shepherd so good as he. Now the poor creatures had to
remain in the stuffy stable; nobody found time, during the harvest, to
drive them out into the fresh air. Oh, they would see at last how much
William was worth to them! But that is the way they had always been: if
any one has been a great while out in the world, he is no longer one of
us--and as to William, who was more peculiar than any of them, him they
all looked at askance. May be that they envied him the money which he
drew as a pension, like a retired gentleman; perhaps they even
begrudged his having got in addition the post of village herdsman. It
was such a fine living for them both. Now they did not need, as they
were growing old, to go out working by the day as they formerly had
done--ah, me! how fortunate she was in her William! Other men of his
age are long since married and have children; but she had her son all
to herself!

In the quiet of her loneliness the mother recalled to mind all the days
of their life together. There had not been much talk between them,
William was taciturn; but at times, when the cruel headaches tormented
him, he had leaned his head against her like a helpless child, and she
had stroked his forehead gently, very gently, and he had purred like a
cat in response. That had been such a happy time! Oh, if he were only
there once more!

An overpowering impulse forced her to fall upon her knees here as
though she were in church and vow to the Holy Mother on the supreme
throne a candle of white wax, if she would restore her her son. In the
midst of tears which, without her knowing it, coursed down her wrinkled
cheeks, she promised, "I vow to thee a candle for thy altar, Mary,
Mother of Mercy! I will light for thee a candle which shall burn so
brightly, shall flame so high! Saint Mary, Mother of God, hear my
prayer for thy Son's sake, for thy Son's sake!"

Fervently she repeated this supplication many times.

During the following night she thought she heard his footstep. She
started up, her heart beating violently. But the footsteps did not stop
at her door, they passed by; it was probably some one going home late
from the tavern. Alas! nobody came to her house, and a nameless longing
arose in her to creep on her hands and knees until she came where her
son was.

Where was he? In jail! This was what the Schneider woman had screamed
at her when she could no longer end