or even to acknowledge
his own loss; and each thought, "I can bear it better than he."

One said to himself, "I am younger than he is," and the other, "I am
older than he;" one, "How could the young man be so rash?" and the
other, "How could the old man have shown so little experience?" On only
one point did their thoughts agree; both intended to resist temptation
for the future, and to be contented with the slow and sure profits of
their fields.

"We are a little late," the younger farmer at last said.

"Oh," replied Landolin, standing still (he always stood still when he
spoke), "what I have to buy will wait for me. I only sent my cattle
that the fair might amount to something, as I hear that a great many
Alsace traders are coming."

The other glanced sideways at Landolin, as though he would have enjoyed
saying, "I know you wish the miller and his son to be there first, and
be waiting for you; but I'll not give you the satisfaction of knowing
that I understand your meanness."

Landolin's wagon with the two great horses now overtook them. In it
were seated mother and daughter, in holiday attire. Landolin's
companion bowed quickly many times, and murmured, as he glanced at
Thoma, "It is certainly true; she is the most beautiful girl in the
country." Thoma asked if the men did not wish to ride, for there was a
second seat in the "Schaarenbank," as they here call the _Char-a-banc_,
which has now taken the place of the old-fashioned coach. The men
declined, and the wagon rolled on.

CHAPTER V.

Mountain and valley must join each other after all. Down by the brook
Anton was walking with his father, and from the hill-side Thoma was
coming with hers. A few weeks only had passed since Anton and Thoma
gave themselves to each other; but when once the verdure of the
spring-time appears, its spread is strong and unceasing.

It came about thus: the snow was lying heavy on the mountains and in
the ravines, on the fields it had begun to melt, when three young men
in soldiers' caps had come one Sunday to Landolin's gate. They greeted
as a comrade the servant Fidelis, who was currying the horses, and also
wore a soldier's cap.

"What!" said Fidelis, "do you dare to invite the master's daughter?"

"Yes, of course."

"I don't believe that she'll consent, or rather that her father will,
but he won't mind having the honor offered him."

"Come with us, Fidelis," said Anton, "you are one