other; and then they dared not give a glance of recognition. Harder still, they could not speak a single word, for the overseer's eye was ever on them, and they were under the constant surveillance of their companions, who watched them with mocking smiles.
"What are you doing here?"
It was Saturday evening, and the overseer, accompanied by some of the labourers, had gone to the tavern. Those who remained sat down to a game of cards, and soon became absorbed in handling the greasy pack. Presently they began to quarrel. Now was his time. George stepped softly over to Tertschka. The young girl was sitting in a corner on an old box, lost in thought.
"Why has he separated us like this?" he asked. "Surely it cannot matter to him if we sit together, as long as we do our work?"
She looked straight before her with a mournful expression.
"He is a wicked man," she said at last. "He cannot bear to see anyone happy. He would like to deprive everyone of every pleasure."
She rose and, lifting up the lid of the box, began to take out some articles of clothing.
"What are you going to do?" George asked, watching her.
"I have a great desire to go to-morrow to the church at Schottwein. There is no doubt I shall have great difficulty in obtaining permission from him. But let him say what he likes, I must not forget my religion in the midst of creatures who do nothing but drink and gamble."
George stood musing, with bowed head.
"It is a very long time since I went to church also," he said. "How delightful it would be if I could come with you."
"But it is impossible."
"Why? The overseer will know nothing. Let us each start separately and meet afterwards."
She reflected for an instant.
"It might be managed. In that case, you must start before I do. Listen! On issuing from this cabin, there is a little pathway to the right which leads into the valley, and at the bottom of the path a wooden cross. Wait for me there. Now go," she added, in an imploring voice, "or we shall be observed."
66 George went back and threw himself upon his couch, whilst the players roared and squabbled over their cards. He felt quite light-hearted and joyous in thinking of the morrow, and absorbed in pleasant anticipations, he soon fell asleep.
The next day was magnificent. A bright sun glittered through the pine trees as George descended the narrow green path that Tertschka had pointed out to him. He peered about for the cross which he was to find at the entrance to the valley. Soon he caught sight of its brown, worm-eaten wood among the young beech leaves. As he was there in good time, he sat down upon a large, mossy stone which served as a prie-dieu.
A deep silence reigned; the stillness of a Sabbath day. Even the bees, which were plundering the many-coloured petals of the flowers, seemed to restrain their drowsy hum. The moss was starred with blue gentians.
At length he started up impatiently, and
