Всего за 5.99 руб. Купить полную версию
Atli, when he came up the mountain path, had held his hands carefully behind him, and had vanished into the cellar without coming to greet Honor; now he appeared smiling broadly, carrying a basket of Alpine strawberries, crimson and fragrant.
My contribution to the festa ! he announced. They are the first of the season, mademoiselle! May you enjoy our mountain fruits, the gift of the Father of all fruits!
Oh, how beautiful they are! cried Honor. And oh, how sweet! they perfume the whole air. I wish I had something to bring to the festa !
Mademoiselle brings herself! said Atli, with a quaint bend of his broad shoulders. That in itself makes a festa for the Châlet des Rochers !
How gracefully he said it! How wonderful, Honor thought, that these simple shepherd people should speak and move with such grace and dignity. No prince, surely, could surpass Atli!
Here was another picture for memory to treasure. The simple feast spread in the open, on the little space of gold-green turf: the Twins in their massive beauty, beaming friendliness; the lame boy, his plain, keen face no less radiant; the goats nibbling and frisking, the great dog watching all with calm benignity.
It was a pity Honors picture could not include herself, softly glowing with happiness, the faint wild-rose color in her cheeks, the lovely light in her dark blue eyes, the glory of red gold rippling on her shoulders; she might possibly have ceased for the moment to sigh for night-black tresses (lying
in piles on the velvet carpet!) and eyes that were starry pools of night. Dear little Honor!
And from the friendly, smiling spot of brightness one had but to look up, and all around stood the mountains in their majesty; height upon height, peak upon peak, soaring into the intense blue of the sky.
Oh! sighed Honor, drawing a long breath of delight. How wonderful it is! How can anyone ever live anywhere else?
Zitlis eyes twinkled. Nevertheless, mademoiselle, he said, other places are perhaps necessary. Our country is without doubt the fairest country in the world, but to place here all the various nations, it would be perhaps a little crowded.
Other countries are doubtless necessary, since they exist! Atli spoke with grave conviction. But Mademoiselle Honor is also right; no one no Swiss, at least, would ever wish to live elsewhere. Without mountains, it is to make life flat, not so? Like a pancake!
Speak no ill of pancakes! cried Gretli merrily. We are going to have them for supper to-night.
Atlis face fell, like that of a disappointed child.
To-night? he repeated. When I shall be away? Gretli, that is ill done!
Take courage, dear one! Gretli replied. Shalt have them the next night, thou! And who knows, she added slyly, what Madelon may have for thee to-night?
Atli smiled, a little sheepishly; then lifted his glass of whey.
Let us drink a toast! he cried; to our mountains! the home and the heart of the Switzer; the good Gods guard and rampart around the fairest country of the world!
All drank the toast: as they did so, Honor looked across the plateau at the Dent du Midi , towering in noonday splendor so bright that it dazzled her eyes, and she shaded them with her hand. As she looked, a gleam of still brighter whiteness sprang from the mountain side, flashed downward, and was lost among the dark pines at its foot; a moment after, a sound came to their ears as of distant thunder, or the sea breaking on a rocky shore.
Ah! cried Zitli, whose eyes had followed Honors. Our father Mountain replies, he pledges us! To thee again, thou great Beloved! He waved his glass and tilted it to get the last drop.
An avalanche! said Gretli, in reply to Honors eager question. Often they seem to answer us, our beloved mountains. It may be chance, as brother Atli thinks; Zitli, on the other hand
Zitli knows what he knows! The boy nodded soberly. It would be strange indeed if so great a lord as our father yonder had not the courtesy to respond to a toast. He has not to learn manners, that one; on the contrary, he teaches them.
After dinner, and when he had carried in table and dishes (as if they were toys!) Atli disappeared for a while. When he came out again, he was resplendent in a huge green coat with tails and brass buttons, a brand new hat, and shoes polished like mirrors. In his snowy shirt-front was stuck a curious nosegay of brightly dyed edelweiss , tied with a scarlet ribbon. His hair was shining with pomatum, and brushed as nearly smooth as its nature allowed. Honor felt a pang of disappointment; he was not nearly so handsome, dressed up in what was evidently his best, as in the loose shirt and breeches of every day. But Gretli gazed at him with fond delight.
Magnificent! Superb! she cried. What heart could resist thee, my Atli? Surely none that thou wilt meet to-day! A happy time, a safe return, and God be with thee!
God be with thee! cried Zitli, waving his crutch, and Honor, blushing crimson, murmured the wish under her breath as she watched the shepherd striding off down the path.