Touching Gerold's shoulders lightly and taking him by one hand, he directed him into the vestibule. In the corner of a rickety verandah there was a table all set for him, hidden by a line of clothes hung out to dry. As they pushed past, the whole line shook.
The two strangers wished Gerold a good dinner and then walked off slowly towards a neglected vegetable garden. Presently a young girl appeared, short and vivacious, with a soup tureen which she put on the table. She sat down near Gerold and waited till he had eaten a little soup, then she asked him a great many questions.
"I hear you spent the night at Friedli's Mill?"
"Yes," he answered briefly, being busy with his soup.
"And she said you were to call her Aunt?"
"Who did?"
"That big Theresa, of course."
"Yes."
"And did you really call her Aunt?'
"No."
She stroked his head, and then went on. "Hänsli says that Dolf took you aside just as you left, and gave you something that he whispered to you about. Wasn't it a message for me, or a letter perhaps?"
"Oh, but who are you?"
"Marianneli."
"All right, if you are Marianneli, yes, I have a letter for you. But I don't know exactly where."
He began to rummage in his pockets. "I will help you hunt," she said, and she jumped to his side quickly, feeling all over his coat and trousers, handling them, and turning his
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