she sensitively replied. “We are mostly old people here; our minds are no longer turned to worldly things, and we no longer crave for earthly news. No one here would have troubled you in that way.”
“If you please, first of all, give me something to eat and then a room. I am very tired,” replied the harper, caring little that he had offended the stewardess. “I’ve come to your mountains from Prague on horseback, without stopping on the way; valise behind me, harp before me. A delightful trip it was,” he added, more to himself than to her, and for the first time something trembled on his face that resembled a smile. “Only the sun or the stars above me, the wide, wide world before me, and unlimited space all around.”
“Where did the young gentleman leave his horse? I must see that it gets into good hands.”
“I left him at the parsonage, where I had my dinner; he will be brought here to-morrow. The horse was tired, even more tired
