Read Heimatlos: Two stories for children, and for those who love children Page 7

  CHAPTER VI

  RICO'S MOTHER

  The teacher was coming down the path from Sils, leaning heavily on hiscane. He came directly from the funeral of Rico's father. He wascoughing and panting as he greeted the grandmother, and he sankheavily to the seat beside her.

  "If you are willing," he said, "I will rest here a few moments. Mythroat troubles me, and my chest is very weak. Of course, now that Iam seventy years old I must expect such things. What a pity that a manof such powerful strength as the Italian must give up life! He was notyet thirty-five years old."

  "Yes," said the grandmother, "I, too, have been thinking how muchbetter I might have been spared than he."

  "I know how you feel," replied the teacher, "but I suppose the olderpeople have their place in life to fill as well as the younger ones.Where would they find precept and example but for us? What will becomeof the boy yonder?"

  "What will become of him?" repeated the grandmother. "I have beenasking the same question, and I cannot tell you. I only know thatthere is a Heavenly Father whom he still has, and he will doubtlessfind a place for the homeless one."

  "Tell me, neighbor, how it ever happened that an Italian should get awife up here. There is no knowing what those strangers are."

  "I will tell you about them," said the grandmother. "You remember thatthe girl's mother had lost her husband and several children, leavingher only this one daughter. She was a charming maiden, with whom themother lived for years alone. I think that it is about twelve yearssince the handsome young Trevillo first came here. He had joined agroup of men who were working on the Maloja. It was a case of love atfirst sight with the young people. I am glad to be able to say thatTrevillo was not only a very handsome man but also very capable. Themother was proud of her son-in-law and wanted them to remain with her.They meant to do as she wished, but the daughter had a longing to seethe place that Trevillo described to her when they walked up theMaloja. The mother objected strongly at first, but when she heard thatTrevillo owned a house and farm, having left it simply to seesomething of the hills, she gave her consent and they moved away. Sheheard from them regularly through the mail, but the daughter preferredto remain in the new home, where they were very happy.

  "A number of years later, Trevillo came back to the mother, carrying alittle boy. 'There, mother,' he said, as he held the boy for her totake, 'we have come back to you without Marie. She and the other babywere buried a few days ago, and we cannot bear to live without herdown there. If you don't mind, we will stay here with you.'

  "It brought both happiness and sorrow to the mother. Rico was fouryears old and extremely lovable and good. He was a comfort to her andher last great pleasure, for she died a year later. People advisedTrevillo to get the aunt to keep house for him and the boy, and thusthey have lived ever since."

  "So that is their story!" remarked the teacher, when she had finishedspeaking. "I never could imagine how it came about. It is possiblethat some relative of Trevillo's may come to take the child."

  "Relatives!" said the grandmother, scornfully. "The aunt is arelative, and what does he get from her? Few enough kind words, I amsure."

  The teacher rose stiffly. "I am rapidly getting old, my friend," hesaid. "I feel my strength leaving me to such an extent that I canscarcely get about."

  "You should still feel young in comparison with me," said thegrandmother, and she wondered at his feebleness as he walked away withslow, unsteady steps.