This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By Georg Ebers
Our good hope of going forth with good-speed into the wide world to riskall for our lover and brother was not to be yet. We were fain to takepatience; and if this seemed hard to us maidens, it was even worse forKubbeling; the man was wont to wander free whither he would, and duringthese days of tarrying at the forest-lodge, first he lost his mirthfulhumor, and then he fell sick of a fever. For two long weeks had he to heabed, he, who, as he himself told, had never to this day needed anyhealing but such as the leech who medicined his beasts could give him.We awaited the tidings of him with much fear; and at this time welikewise knew not what to think of those gentlemen who heretofore hadbeen such steadfast and faithful friends to us, inasmuch as that DoctorHolzschuher gave no sign, and soon after my grand-uncle's burying UncleChristian and Master Pernhart had set forth for Augsburg on some privymatters of the town council. Yet we could do nought but submit, byreason that we knew that every good citizen thinks of the weal of theCommonwealth before all else.
Even our nearest of kin had laid our concerns on the shelf, while day andnight alike it weighed on our souls, and we made ready for a long time tocome of want and humble cheer. The Virgin be my witness that at thattime I was ready and willing to give up many matters which we were forcedto forego; howbeit, we found out that it was easier to eat bread withoutbutter and no flesh meat, than to give up certain other matters. As formy jewels, which Cousin Maud would not sell, but pledged them to agoldsmith, I craved them not. Only a heart with a full great ruby whichI had ever worn as being my Hans' first lovetoken, I would indeed havebeen fain to keep, yet whereas Master Kaden set a high price on the stoneI suffered him to break it out, notwithstanding all that Cousin Maud andAnn might say, and kept only the gold case. It was hard likewise to sendforth the serving-folk and turn a deaf ear to their lamenting. Most ofthe men, when they heard how matters stood, would gladly have stayed toserve us for a lesser wage, and each and all went about looking as if thehail had spoilt their harvest; only old Susan held her head higher thanever, by reason that we had chosen her to share our portion during theyears of famine. Likewise we were glad to promise the old horse-keeper,who had served our father before us, that we would care for him all hisdays; he besought me eagerly that I would keep my own Hungarian palfrey,for, to his mind, a damsel of high degree with no saddle nor steed was asa bird that cannot rise on its wings. Howbeit, we found those who wereglad to buy the horse, and never shall I forget the hour when for thelast time I patted the smooth neck of my Bayard, the gift of my lostlover, and felt his shrewd little head leaning against my own. UncleTucher bought him for his daughter Bertha, and it was a comfort to me tothink that she was a soft, kind hearted maid, whom I truly loved. Allthe silver gear likewise, which we had inherited, was pledged for money,and where it lay I knew not; yet of a truth the gifts of God taste betterout of a silver spoon than out of a tin one. Cousin Maud, who would haveno half measures, carried many matters of small worth to the pawn-broker;yet all this grieved us but lightly, although the sky hung dark over thet