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WILLIAM TELL

Nobody liked to be the first to speak to him.

“Well,” said Rudolph der Harras, breaking an awkward silence, “I suppose it’s all over now? May as well be moving, eh?”

He bit a large piece out of the apple, which he still held. Walter uttered a piercing scream as he saw the mouthful disappear. Up till now he had shown no signs of dismay, in spite of the peril which he had had to face; but when he watched Rudolph eating the apple, which he naturally looked upon as his own property, he could not keep quiet any longer. Rudolph handed him the apple with an apology, and he began to munch it contentedly.

“Come with me to your mother, my boy,” said Rösselmann.

Walter took no notice, but went on eating the apple.