Walda | Page 9

the mill. They spoke a few words, and the simple one continued on his way.
"So you are back?" said Everett, handing a coin to Hans Peter, who put it in one of his bulging pockets.
"What wouldst thou have me do?" asked the simple one.
"I would have you sit there on the grass and answer my questions, Hans Peter. First, who is the girl?"
"She is Frieda Bergen, a village maid."
"What was it you put in the tree for her?"
Hans Peter looked aghast. He thrust both hands into his pockets and appeared to be thinking. He was a strange figure, for there was a curious blending of shrewdness and foolishness in his expression as he furtively glanced up at Everett.
"Thou wouldst not tell the elders," he pleaded, presently, "if I trusted thee? I fear nothing, but I would not make the maid unhappy."
Was it a love-letter that you put there for her?"
Everett could not repress a smile. He was begin ning to believe that he might find some amusement in watching the people of Zanah. When the fool remained silent he repeated his question.
"I know not what was in the packet, as I carried it for another," said Hans Peter. "Thou forgettest that thou art talking to the fool of Zanah."
"Your wisdom makes me lose sight of that fact, Hans Peter. Is not love against the law of the colony?"
"Yea, all except Hans Peter, the fool, hold it a sin to put their affections on the things of this world. The simple one cannot understand aught but that which is of the earth; he cannot reach up to heaven, and so he seeth nothing wrong in love that maketh men and women happy."
Everett rose and paced up and down the little foot path. "I suppose the elders are always above temptation?" he remarked, stopping before Hans Peter. The simple one looked almost wise, and, apparently forgetting all prudence, said:
"Karl Weisel, head of the thirteen elders, hath been tempted for many years. He loveth Gretchen Schneider, the daughter of the Herr Doktor President, but he would have to give up his high place in Zanah if he were to marry, and so he preacheth much against the wickedness of loving."
"And what of Gretchen Schneider?"
"She hath always a bad temper; she spieth on all the youths and maids. Frieda Bergen and Joseph Hoff, who loveth her, fear Gretchen Schneider most of all in Zanah."
"And what will be the punishment of Frieda Bergen and Joseph Hoff when it is discovered that they love each other?"
"Marriage," said the simple one, solemnly. "The elders will rebuke them, and if still they love not God above themselves they will be put in the third, or low est, grade in the colony."
"And will they ever be forgiven? Will the elders ever restore them to a high place in Zanah?"
Hans Peter made an awkward little gesture.
"When they have found out each other's faults they may repent; the Lord's hand may be heavy on them. Then, when they see that love bringeth pain and grief, they may go before the elders, confess that they have erred, and when they have proved that they can serve God with singleness of purpose they will be put in the foremost rank."
Hans Peter spoke as if he were repeating a lesson often conned, and Everett said:
"You talk not like the simple one, my boy. If I closed my eyes I should think the Herr Doktor him self were speaking to me. But tell me, Hans Peter, among all the married people of the village, how many have failed to repent?"
"Diedrich Werther and Mother Werther alone love much. They are still in the lowest grade, and it is fifteen years since they were married. Most of the men and women of Zanah are in the second grade, but the Herr Doktor and Mother Schneider are among the highest. It is said they hate each other."
"This has been a half-hour well spent," said Everett. "You shall have another piece of silver, Hans Peter, and to-morrow you will tell me more about the people of Zanah."
The simple one rose from his place on the grass, took the coin into his square, fat hand, and slouched away with it. As he disappeared, Everett thought of a hundred things he would have liked to ask about Walda Kellar. Yet, strangely enough, he could not bring himself to speak her name to the village fool.

IV

AFTER giving his promise to stay in Zanah, Everett found that the day dragged. Having finished questioning the fool, he went to the inn, where he ate his noonday dinner in silence. Then he wan dered among the lanes and winding roads until it was time for the evening meal, at which two taciturn women waited on him. He made an effort to talk to the women,