As Paul came down the steps he saw Elsbeth only a few paces before him, on the arm of her betrothed. She seemed older, and looked pale and delicate. When her look met his she turned a shade paler still. He trembled all over, but his eyes did not quit her face. In confusion he raised his cap; and at the same place where fifteen years ago they had spoken the first words to one another, they now passed each other in silence and like strangers. CHAPTER XX. “Whatever is the matter with father?” said Frau Kate Erdmann to Frau Greta Erdmann, as they were both driving along the road on the way to visit their old home and take the opportunity at the same time of telling their brother all that weighed on their minds. The old man stood crouched up in a corner behind the barn, and was busying himself over a heap of straw which lay there. When he heard the rattle of the dog-cart he stopped in alarm and rubbed his hands like some one who wished to appear unconcerned. The two sisters looked at each other, and Greta said, “We must give Paul a hint of this.” Oh, they had become very reasonable, these two wild girls! not less so inwardly than outwardly; their truant brown curls were combed smoothly behind their ears, and the sparkling eyes had a weary look in them, as though they now knew how it feels to sit in a lonely room and cry one’s heart out. Frau Kate, indeed, had three strapping boys, and Frau Greta had already hopes of a fourth; and every one knows “Maternity renders weary.” Paul was not at home; he was working on the moor; but their father came towards them with a cunning laugh, swinging his crutch, and crying out, “Can’t I run again like a youth?” Frau Kate expressed her admiration and Frau Greta agreed with her. “It goes first-rate,” he laughed; “the day before yesterday I even went as far as Helenenthal.” They looked at him in surprise, and almost in terror, for since he was forced to leave it he had never been there again. “How were you received?” asked Frau Greta. “Who? What? Oh, you think perhaps I went for a neighborly visit? You are real geese! I would sooner be the guest of your watch-dog and try to take his mutton-bone away.” “But what did you do there, then?” “I peeped through the gate and looked at the clock and then I came home again. How long do you think it takes me to walk there? just guess.” They had no idea. “An hour and a half, just like a professional runner.... Indeed,” he looked down meditatively, “if one had anything to carry, it might take two.” “And you went only to find that out?” “That was all, my love, that was all!” and his eye sparkled meaningly.