"Ah, there you are!" exclaimed Marjon, impatiently. "That's exactly as if you asked why the summer might not perchance be the winter. You can ask that, any time. I know my Father just for the very reason that He does not deceive. If Markus was only here he would give it to you!" "Yes, if he was only here!" repeated Johannes, not appearing to be afraid of what Markus might do to him. Then in a milder way, Marjon proceeded: "Do you know what Markus says, Jo? When the Devil stands before God, his heart is pierced by genuine trust." "Should I trust the Devil, then?" asked Johannes. "Well, no! How could that be? Nobody can do that. You must trust the Father alone. But even if you are so unlucky as to see the Devil before you see the Father, that makes no difference, for he has no chance against sincere trust. That upsets his plans, and at the same time pleases the Father." "Oh, Marjon! Marjon!" said Johannes, clasping his hands together in his deep emotion. She smiled brightly and said: "Now you see that was a quarter out of my savings-box!" * * * * * Really, it was a very happy day for Johannes. He saw great, white, piled-up clouds, tall trees in the light of the rising sun, still houses on the river-banks, and the rushing stream--with violet and gold sparkling in the broad bends--ever flowing through a fruitful, verdant country; and over all, the deep, deep blue--and he whispered: "Father--Father!" In an instant, he suddenly comprehended all the things he saw as splendid, glorious Thoughts of the Father, which had always been his to observe, but only now to be wholly understood. The Father said all this to him, as a solemn admonition that _He_ it was--pure and true, eternally guarding, ever waiting and accessible, behind the unlovely and the deceitful. "Will you always stay with me, Marjon?" he asked earnestly. "Yes, Jo, that I will. And you with me?" Then Little Johannes intrepidly gave his promise, as if he really knew what the future held for him, and as if he had power over his entire unknown existence. "Yes, dear Marjon, I will never leave you again. I promise you. We remain together, but as friends. Do you agree? No foolishness!" "Very well, Jo. As you like," said Marjon. After that they were very still. XIII It was evening, and they were nearing Germany. The dwellings on the river-banks no longer looked fresh and bright colored, but faded and dirty. Then they came to a poor, shabby-looking town, with rusty walls, and grey houses inscribed with flourishing black letters. The boats went up the stream to lie at anchor, and the custom-house officers came. Then Marjon, rousing up from the brown study into which Johannes' last question had plunged her, said: "We must sing something, Jo. Only think! Your Aunt's money will soon be gone. We must earn some more." "Can we do it?" asked Johannes.