CHAPTER XV
IN THE MOUNTAINS
"I LIKE my opera-glasses and bag better than anything, and my lovelychain next," said Nan sitting up in bed to examine her presents. Mrs.Corner and Miss Helen always breakfasted in their own rooms, and onthis occasion the girls concluded to do the same, since cocoa and rollswere not difficult to dispose of before the gifts were unwrapped.
"I like my fairy-tale book," came a small voice from the next room.
"What do you like, you Jo Keyes over there?" Nan called out.
No reply came from the head buried in the pillow.
"Here, you Josephine Schluessel, are you asleep? Why don't you speakup?" Nan picked up a worsted slipper and threw it across the room. Theslipper landed on Jo's head and she responded by raising rather a tearyface.
"You've all been so perfectly lovely to me," she said, "so muchlovelier than they ever are at home. Instead of just giving me fifty_pfennige_ presents as you ought to have done, you've treated me justas if I were one of you."
"Well, you needn't cry about it," said Nan roughly, herself quiteovercome by this evidence of feeling on Jo's part. "You are one of us,of course. Tell what you like best, old girl, or I'll throw this otherslipper at you, and then I can't get up to-day, for I am never going toset my feet on these cold boards."
"Oh, my kodak, of course," returned Jo. "It was so dear of your AuntHelen to give it to me, and it is such a beauty. I have always solonged for one. Then that dear chain, Nan, you----"
"Time to hear from you, Mary Lee," cried Nan interrupting furtherremarks from Jo. "What's your particular wanity?"
Mary Lee hesitated a moment. "I think I like the picture of MissDolores in her _manta de Manila._"
"I knew you'd say that," responded Nan. "I was just waiting to hear.Hallo, Jack, in there, why don't you let us hear from you?"
"I'm coming in to tell you." The answer was prompt, and presently Jackin red wrapper and slippers appeared, stocking in hand. "I'll tellyou, Nan, but I won't tell any one else," she said. She came close tothe bed and whispered something in Nan's ear. Nan laughed. It was herown present to her little sister which was the one preferred. It was acunning figure of an owl which Nan had marked: "The moping owl doth tothe moon complain." It was like Jack to prefer this. The owl was of theporcelain ware for which Bavaria is well known, and when the head wasremoved Jack discovered the owl was filled with chocolates, though itwas not this fact which made her favor it above the rest of her gifts.
"Come in here with me," said Nan. "There is room enough for two, if wecuddle." She moved over that Jack might snuggle down by her side.
"I think you're mean to leave me," came a plaintive voice from the nextroom.
"Come get in with me," called Mary Lee; "though you won't have long tostay for we must get up soon if we are going to church."
Jean pattered across the floor and crept in with Mary Lee, to turn outthe contents of her stocking for her sister's inspection.
"Did you know you were going to get the chain, Nan?" asked Jack.
"No, indeed, and it is the very one I liked so much. I don't see howAunt Helen knew."
"She asked Jo; didn't she, Jo?"
"She mought and then again she moughtn't," returned Jo non-committally.
"What did Dr. Paul give you?" Jack asked.
"Oh, didn't you see that lovely great book?" said Nan. "It is called'Werkes Altes Meister,' and is full of illustrations of all the finestpictures. It is perfectly splendid, but I am afraid he spent more forit than he ought."
"Is he very poor?" asked Jack. "He doesn't look like it."
"Oh, he's not a pauper. Old Dr. Woods is quite well off, but it isexpensive for Dr. Paul to take this course over here, and naturally heis not earning anything, and has a proper pride about not calling uponhis father for more than is necessary."
"Will he be rich some day?"
"I don't know. I hope he will always have enough, but he is toogenerous to be very rich."
"I think Carter will have plenty for both of us, don't you?" said Jackinnocently. "I wonder if they have Christmas trees in California."
"You silly-billy," replied Nan laughing. "It is time to get up,goosey-lucy, owly-powly. We shall have to hurry or we won't get tochurch to-day. 'A hitch of your heel and a hitch of your toe' and outyou go." She gave Jack a swing out on the floor, and herself sprangfrom bed. The three elder girls occupied the largest room in which werethree beds, while the two younger had a little room next.
They found Mrs. Corner and Miss Helen ready for church when the fiveappeared in hats and coats. "We've been making holiday plans," saidMiss Helen, "and we'll talk about them on the way. What do you all sayto a few days in the mountains to look at the winter sports and get abit more sunshine than we do here?"
"Fine!" exclaimed the Corners, Jo looking a little dubious.
"It's not far to Partenkirchen," Mrs. Corner told them, "and a changewill do us all good. Mrs. Hoyt has just stopped in to say that she andher youngsters have decided to go, and some of the boys will go withthem. We had some talk about it last night, but hadn't come to anydefinite decision then. I think a little play won't hurt you, and youwill get back to work in season."
"But, Mrs. Corner," said Jo, "could I possibly afford it?"
"Oh, yes, I think you could; the larger the party the better terms weshall be able to make, and it will not be very expensive for a fewdays. I really think you ought to go, for you might want to writea theme upon the winter sports of Germany, and it might give you ascholarship at Smith College."
Jo smiled. She longed to be one of the party, but could not be surethat she ought. Miss Helen took her arm when they reached the streetand the two walked off talking in low tones. By the time they reachedthe church Jo looked back at Nan and her mother. "I'm going," she said.
It was when they returned from church that they found a row of littlePfeffers, headed by Bertha Metzger, standing waiting for them. Each onefollowing Bertha's example--having been evidently well drilled--bobbeda curtsey and kissed, one after another, the hands of the "_gnaedigesfraeulein_" wishing them _Froliche Weihnacht_, and murmuring a blessingin chorus. This proceeding so amused the twins that they giggledoutright, but the others, though embarrassed, took the matter moreseriously. Jack would fain have carried off Bertha to see their owntree, but the watchful guardian of the Pfeffers could not be induced toleave her charges for a second, and after answering the questions putto her, marshaled her cousins in order, according to size, and marchedthem off with a distinct feeling that they had admirably performedtheir duty. They all looked very comfortable in their new outfits, andwere apparently very proud of themselves.
It was a merry crowd which boarded the train the next day forPartenkirchen, and it required the combined efforts of the elder ladiesto keep the young people in order. There was much talk of _ski-ing_ and_rodeling_, and all the young folks were very enthusiastic about tryingthese amusements.
"_Skis_ are rather expensive," remarked Jo, "and I, for one, shan't buyany, that's certain."
"You can hire them," Nan told her, "and that is what we are all goingto do, for who can tell whether we shall like the sport or not? As weare to be over here for only one winter it will not be worth while totote those great long things all over creation with us."
They had left Munich in a gray mist which shut out all suggestionof sunlight, but when they reached the pretty mountain town ofPartenkirchen, at the foot of the Zugspitze, the skies were as blue assummer and the sun was shining brilliantly on the snowy mountainsides.The ride through the Bavarian Highlands had been beautiful indeed, andthe spirits of the party, far from lessening, became wilder as theyapproached the greater heights, so it was a laughing, excited crowdwhich finally left the train to go to the small hotel where they hadengaged board.
Many had arrived before them, and were already testing the tobogganruns, or were flitting along, like birds, upon their _skis_.
The boys, naturally, were eager to try these new sports, and were soonequ
ipped, to receive many a humiliating tumble before they could becomeadepts. Juliet was scarcely less ambitious than the boys and was notlong in persuading Mary Lee and Jo to fasten on the long _skis_ inorder to make a first venture. Nan and the twins contented themselveswith sleds upon safe inclines at first, but were so exhilarated by thekeen air that they were soon trying longer slopes. Even Mrs. Hoyt cameout to join them leaving Mrs. Corner and Miss Helen to enjoy the brightsunlight streaming in at their windows.
In a few days Nan had become as enthusiastic an advocate of _ski-ing_as the rest. "It is like flying," she declared. "I wish we could do itat home."
"It seems such an impossible and dangerous thing to me," said MissHelen who had been persuaded to come out to watch the sport.
"It isn't when you know how," replied Nan as she flitted off.
It was a gay company at the little hotel. The mountain air exhilaratedevery one and though the unusual exercise tired them out, after ahearty supper they were ready for any kind of fun. On New Year's Evecame the climax when the peasants arrived to show their dances and toask the guests to join in. Jo was nothing loth to accept the young sonof mine host as partner, and as he, in embroidered velvet breeches,short Tyrolean jacket and red tie, led off, she was quick enough toimitate the others and made a better dancer than might have beenexpected in such a wild and rollicking dance as it was. Once she wasfairly lifted off her feet, whirled around and set down again beforeshe knew what was happening to her. With the snowy mountains lookingdown upon them they welcomed in the new year and slept the last sleepthey should have at Partenkirchen, for the morrow would take them backto Munich.
Dr. Paul made his appearance the evening of their return. He had beento Dresden for a week, looking into hospital work there and stayingwith a friend. He was welcomed joyfully and was given an enthusiasticaccount of winter in the mountains of Bavaria.
"You'd better have gone with us," Mrs. Corner told him. "I am sure itwould have done you more good than doing extra work."
"It wasn't all work," returned the doctor, "and besides being deeplyinterested in what I was doing, I was glad to be with my friend BobMorgan. He is an old pal of mine, and we have had many a run together.By the way, Nan," he turned toward this person, "I think I may have aclue to your Hans Metzger."
Every one looked interested. "Tell us about it," said Nan.
"Of course it is by no means an unusual name," the doctor went on,"and there may be dozens of them in the community, but as I was inBob's room at the hospital one day, I picked up a German book, rather acurious old volume on husbandry which was lying on the table. In it Isaw the name, Hans Metzger. 'Hallo,' I said, 'where did you get that?'
"'It was left by one of the patients,' said Bob, 'a nice sort of youngGerman whom I attended. I was looking at the book one day, and spoke ofits being something of a curiosity because of its age, so when he wasdischarged he presented it to me out of gratitude.' 'Was his name HansMetzger?' I asked.
"'Yes,' Bob told me. 'Where was he from?' 'From his dialect I shouldsay he was a Bavarian.'"
"That looks like a proof," said Nan eagerly.
"So I thought. Bob promised to learn what he could of the man and tolet me know. I told him of our search and he was much interested."
"Wouldn't it be the queerest thing if your going to Dresden should bethe means of finding him?" said Nan.
"When do you think you will hear, Dr. Paul?" asked Jack.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that. It was only day before yesterdaythat I saw the book."
"Did you get a description of the man?" asked Miss Helen.
"Yes." The doctor took out his note-book. "He was rather tall, dark,had a scar on his left cheek."
"We must go to-morrow and interview Frau Pfeffer," said Nan. "She cantell if that answers to the description of her brother. I am surprised,Dr. Paul, to see how many Germans are dark. I have always thought ofthem as a fair-haired, blue-eyed race."
"You will find a great many quite the opposite in this part of Germanyparticularly. It is so near Italy that there are many intermarriageswith the darker race, just as you find in Venice and other parts ofItaly that intermarriages with the Austrians and Germans have producedfair-haired Italians."
The interview with Frau Pfeffer the next day seemed to establishthe fact of Hans Metzger's identity with the patient of the Dresdenhospital, as the description tallied exactly with that of FrauPfeffer's brother.
"Do you know anything about the old book?" Nan asked.
Frau Pfeffer did not know, but it was like her brother to have such. Hewas fond of reading, of husbandry, of outdoor life, and he could verywell have come into possession of such a volume.
A few days later Dr. Paul had another report to make. "I've heard fromBob Morgan," he said. "The man Hans Metzger has gone to America."
"To America!" All looked at one another quite taken aback.
"Do you think, Dr. Paul, that he has then deserted his littledaughter?" asked Miss Helen.
"I can tell better when we get particulars. Bob Morgan had only timefor a line. This is what he writes: 'Have followed up the Hans Metzgermatter. Find the man sailed for America from Bremen on Dec. 10. Willwrite details later.'"
"It's as good as a Sherlock Holmes story," said Nan. "I wonder if yourDr. Morgan saw Hans' footprint on the gangplank or the print of histhumb in a booking-office, or what."
"It does become rather exciting," admitted the doctor, "and I amcurious myself to learn particulars."
"You'll be sure to let us know as soon as you find out, won't you?"begged the girls.
"I'll fly to you on the wings of the morning or evening, whichevercomes handiest," promised the doctor.
A few days later the expected letter came from Dr. Morgan. He wrote: "Itook up the Metzger case as soon as you left. Inquired if any of thepatients knew him. Found a man from Augsburg who had been here for sometime and had made friends with Metzger, as both were Bavarians. Metzgerhad come to see Augsburg man before leaving the city. Had a goodposition promised him with an American who was going home and wantedan overseer for a place in New York, so Augsburg man said, though youcan't tell about the last. They think New York covers half the U. S.,and is synonymous. Later happened upon Dr. Streit who gave me furtherparticulars. Streit is a Munich man and took an interest in Metzger. Itwas through him Metzger found place with American. No doubt your manwill write to his people as soon as he gets settled, for I think it ispretty clear he is your man."
"Do you think we may really count upon his being the right man?" saidMiss Helen.
"I think there is every chance of his being. He may have written to hissister, but as you say she left the village soon after he last saw her,it is quite possible the letter never reached her. These peasants arevery stupid sometimes, and very likely the letter never was forwarded."
"_Dumm_ is such a good, expressive German word," remarked Nan, "andjust fits the case."
"Exactly," returned the doctor, "and we know if our own countrypostmasters are so often stupid what must some of these Germans be? Bobsays he will try to get the address of the man with whom Metzger went,so his sister can write and make sure we are on the right track."
"I think your Dr. Morgan is very good to take so much trouble," saidNan.
"Oh, he is glad to do it. He is a Virginia boy, too, Nan, and you knowhe is not going to think it any trouble to help out in a case of thiskind. Beyond this, he has a personal interest in Metzger, and wants todo all he can on that account."
In due course of time the address came and Frau Pfeffer sent off aletter. So there was nothing to do but to wait for a reply which woulddecide conclusively whether it were really Bertha's father whom theywere following up.
About this time the Carnival season began, and although the family sawlittle of the gaieties which entertained so many of the Muencheners, thegirls did so far participate in them as to go to a mask party which Dr.Mann gave for his boys, and as it was their first experience of thiskind they were in a great state of excitement.
Of course the twins werenot included in the party, but the three older girls and Juliet hadmany conferences as to costumes.
"We can't be expected to carry fancy costumes all over Europe with us,"said Nan, "and we shall have to think up something that we can wearafterward, or which we shall not mind leaving behind, it seems to me."
"We could take them with us, Nan," said Mary Lee, "and they would do towear when we get home."
"If we haven't outgrown them by that time," returned Nan.
"We couldn't outgrow all the things."
"Well, I know this child spends no fortune on costumes," put in Jo."Cheap and easy is my motto for this occasion."
"Mamma tried to hire something for us," said Juliet, "but everythingwe saw that would fit was so mussy and soiled that it wouldn't do atall. We did manage to rig out Maurice, but I am still looking."
"Mary Lee would make a perfect little Dresden shepherdess," said Jo,"and I don't think it would be a hard costume to get up. She could copysome of the figures we have seen and it would be lovely."
"Good!" cried Nan. "I approve of that myself. Although it is notstrictly original it will be very becoming and just suit my fairsister's style."
"I am going to talk to mother about it," said Mary Lee leaving thegroup.
"I'd like to know what a long, lanky thing like me can wear," said Nan."I might go as a bean-pole, and twine a vine up my length."
"You may be long but you're not what I should call lanky," corrected Jo.
"I think Nan would look fine in one of those costumes on those quaintpost-cards we all liked so much at Christmas time," said Juliet. "Ihave one of the prettiest left. I'll go get it and you might copythat." She ran off, presently returning with the card which allexamined with much interest.
"The dress wouldn't be hard," Nan decided, "and I have the scarf. Iwould need something different from anything in the combined wardrobesof the family to make the bonnet of."
Juliet was busy thinking. "Mother has just the thing, I do believe,"she said after a moment: "a big Leghorn hat that can be bent into anyshape. She will be delighted to lend it to you. I think you will lookdear in such a bonnet, Nan, with bunches of pink roses against yourdark hair."
"I can easily make a little bag like that to carry on my arm," decidedNan. "I think it is a costume of the period of 1812 as nearly as Iremember."
"One of the boys is to have a costume that will match it," said Juliet."I shall not tell which one, but I know he will look dandy in it.The boys sometimes spend a lot on these costumes, and come in suchmagnificence as you wouldn't believe. Of course some are much betteroff than others, and some of the girls will be gotten up regardless,but I think the main thing is to look picturesque and to wear somethingwhich will be becoming when we unmask. When the boys don't wantto spend much they go as Pierrots. There will be several in thatcharacter, I can promise you."
"I might go as a switch-tender, and borrow Frau Pfeffer's get-up,"remarked Jo.
"How you would look," cried Nan, "and what would she do that day, pray?"
"She could go to bed early," said Jo calmly.
It was finally decided that Jo should go in Spanish dress, the girlssuddenly remembering what they had brought from Spain with them, whichsupplemented would do very well to represent an _aldeana_ costume.Juliet eventually went as a peacock, a spreading tail of feathersadorning the back of a greenish gold frock, and upon her head a cleverarrangement of feathers and beak to represent the bird's head. Herbodice was of peacock blue and the whole effect was quite dazzling, andstrange to say very becoming. Of the four girls it must be said thatMary Lee looked the best, her fair skin, blue eyes and neat featuresbeing exactly as they should be for a Dresden shepherdess. A fluffywhite wig and a coquettish hat made the finishing touches to her dress,and she was very much pleased with herself as well she might be. Nan,though not so striking, was a quaint figure. Her bonnet was a greatsuccess, trimmed outside with long white plumes and some old-fashionedapple-green ribbons, and inside with bunches of pink roses which layagainst the clusters of curls in which she had arranged her dark hair.The dress was a green silk with little bunches of pink flowers upon it,and her pink scarf drooping negligently was of the color of the rosesin her bonnet. The whole party set off in an automobile and had thatkind of good time which youth and high spirits can generally give uson such occasions. That they did not lack in partners for either gamesor dances goes without saying, and that it was an event long afterreferred to can be taken for granted.
After this there were not any great merry-makings, the gatherings inMrs. Hoyt's sitting-room being quite sufficient for ordinary fun, andall worked hard between times. January did not bring anything but darkand sunless weather, so Mrs. Corner felt that she must pitch her tentelsewhere as she was feeling the effects of the lack of sunshine. Shetherefore decided to go to the Riviera for a couple of months.
"I shall not be so very far away," she said to Nan, who always felt theseparation more than any of the others. "It is scarcely more than aday's journey, and if I am needed I can fly to you in less time than itwould take to go to Boston from Virginia."
"Will Aunt Helen go with you?" asked Nan.
"I don't know," said Mrs. Corner. "Things didn't go altogether happilywith you last winter, Nan, dear, and I hate to leave you in a foreigncity with the responsibility of your younger sisters upon you. Mrs.Hoyt has very kindly offered to chaperon you and the Fraeulein is quiteto be relied upon, but still I do not like to go off and leave you tobe the acting head of the family."
"It is quite different from last year," Nan told her, "for this is nota boarding-school, and you will not be the other side of the ocean asyou were then. For my part, _motherdel_--that is a newly coined southGerman diminutive. I am your _maedel_; you are my _motherdel_ instead of_mutterchin_--as I was saying, for my part, I would much rather AuntHelen should be with you. We shall be perfectly comfortable, and Ican't bear the idea of your going off alone. If you should be ill----"
"There are always good doctors and nurses to be had," her motherhastened to say.
"But not to have any of one's very own. No, _mutterdel_, Aunt Helenmust go, too, and we will behave like the best of Cornelia's jewels."
"I am not afraid of you older girls, except in your case when yousacrifice yourself for Jack."
"Oh, but Jack is much more sensible. She is developing a better senseof proportion, and of right and wrong. She is terribly impetuous, butshe does mean all right at heart."
"I am sure of that. She couldn't be her father's child and be lackingin principle."
"She couldn't be her mother's child and not turn out a dear, goodwoman," said Nan, fondling her mother's hand. "I'll promise you,mother, I'll not do anything rash. If any problems arise I will suspendaction till I can hear from you, and if it is something in which I haveto act at once I will take the case to Mrs. Hoyt."
"There might be cases that you wouldn't want to consult even Mrs. Hoytabout," said Mrs. Corner thoughtfully.
"Then I'll pour out my woes to Dr. Paul."
Mrs. Corner nodded. "Yes, you can trust him, for he has known you allsince you were babies. With him as well as Mrs. Hoyt I think I can feelsafe about you. All right, Nan. I'll talk it over with Helen."
CHAPTER XVI
HERR GREEN-CAP]