Veronica And Other Friends | Page 8

past the Rehbock. She would rather go ten minutes
farther round, and she will not say why either. To-day, Veronica, I am
determined that you shall go this way or tell us why not."
"No; to-day we will not quarrel, Dietrich, please;" said the girl
entreatingly, but with a tone that showed no signs of yielding her point,
"let us sing a song as we go; mother loves to hear us sing."
As she spoke, she walked steadily along the road, and the others
followed,
"Well then," said the lad, "let's sing 'Gladly and merrily'"--and he began
to sing the familiar tune.
"To-night I should rather sing the Fisher-boat," said Veronica, and
without demur the good-natured boy dropped his song, and joined his
clear tones with Veronica's steady voice, the two harmonizing perfectly
as they sang:

"A tiny boat, a fisher-boat, Tossed lightly on the silver sea; Around the
rocks, in air, afloat The white gulls circle lazily. A tiny boat, a
fisher-boat-- The fisher draws his slender line; He half in dream-land
seems to float. Saying, 'to-morrow will be fine.'"
Softly singing, in the soft falling shadows of evening, the happy trio
drew towards their home, and disappeared within the cottage door.
CHAPTER IV.
ALL AT HOME.
Dietrich had already worked for some time in his father's business. It
was all in the best possible condition; the work shop, the tools and
materials had been carefully kept up, and everything was fresh and in
good working order. The old customers had not withdrawn their
custom, for the former workman who had served under Steffan for
many years had continued his deceased master's methods, so that the
reputation of the work was sustained, and as Fohrensee grew, so also
the saddler's orders grew, and the business flourished. So Dietrich
found his trade ready made to his hand, and as good a prospect lay
before him as heart could wish. He took hold with a good will, and
being his own master did not make him the less diligent. He was
determined first to work faithfully till he had thoroughly learned the
business, and then to travel for a while. When he had seen the world a
bit he would come back, go on with the business farther and farther,
and become a gentleman; and then--then--where could a happier man
be found than he should be, living with his mother and Veronica in
peace and plenty. His mother should pass her days in happy idleness if
she wished, without care, without sorrow, in wealth and comfort, and
Veronica! Yes, he would give Veronica a life far happier and more
beautiful than she had ever dreamed of for herself! While his brain
teemed with these pleasant thoughts, Dietrich sang and whistled at his
work all day long, and did good work, too. He had a skilful hand and a
clear head, and his work went successfully on.
Veronica had persuaded her mother to let her stay longer in the

Industrial School than was usual with the young girls of the
neighborhood. Even up to the day of her confirmation, she had taken
sewing lessons twice from a most accomplished teacher. A short time
before Easter, the teacher had assured Gertrude that Veronica had made
such extraordinary progress, that she was already prepared to teach, and
that she had completed the course taught at that school, and could learn
no more there. Veronica certainly deserved farther training and the
teacher suggested that it would be well worth while for her to take
lessons in embroidery of lame Sabina in Fohrensee. She would then be
sure of a position as a teacher, as high as her utmost ambition could
desire.
It had always been Gertrude's plan to have Veronica learn to work at
the saddler's business, as there is a good deal of the fine work which is
suitable for women, and which it needs a woman's hand to carry out.
She hoped that in this way her children could always remain together
and with her. The fine embroidery for which lame Sabina was noted, it
did not seem to her at all necessary for Veronica to learn, but she was
willing to leave the decision to her. As soon as Veronica heard of this
new work to be learned, she was eager to begin upon it, and she left her
mother no peace until she extracted from her the promise that directly
after the confirmation, this new undertaking should be entered upon.
A few days after Easter Sunday, Veronica went to take her first lesson.
It was very early in the morning when she started to go down to
Fohrensee; so early that people were just beginning to open their
windows, and only here and there a sleepy face was to be seen at the