It was a clear evening. The mountain
opposite was shining in the golden evening light, and now a little star
came into sight above the dark mountains, and looked down to Toni in such
a friendly way that it cheered him very much.
He thought of his mother, where she was now and how she was in the habit
of standing with him at this time in front of the little cottage and
talking so pleasantly. Then suddenly there came over him such a feeling of
loneliness that he ran into the hut, threw himself down on the cot, buried
his face in the hay and sobbed softly, until the weariness of the day
overcame him and he fell asleep.
The bright morning lured him out early. The man was already outside. He
milked the cows, spoke not a word and went away.
Now a long, long day followed. It was perfectly still all around. The cows
grazed and lay down around in the sun-bathed pasture. Tom went into the
hut two or three times, drank some milk and ate some bread and cheese.
Then he came out again, sat down on the ground and carved on a piece of
wood he had in his pocket, for although he no longer dared to cherish the
hope of becoming a wood-carver, yet he could not help carving for himself
as well as he could.
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