But he sent word for the herdsman to go over; he
had boys of his own and would understand better about this than the hired
man. If anything was wrong with Toni he must be brought down.
Some days later the herdsman really went over with one of his boys and
found Toni still crouched in the corner just as the man had seen him. Toni
made no sound to anything the herdsman said to him, did not move and kept
staring always before him.
"He must go down," said the herdsman to his boy, "go with him right away,
but take care that nothing happens to him and be good to him; the boy is
to be pitied," and he looked at Toni with sympathy, for the herdsman had a
good heart and took delight in his own three big, healthy boys. The one he
had with him was a strong, sturdy fellow of sixteen years. He went up to
Toni and told him to stand up, but Toni did not move. Then the lad took
him under the arms, lifted him up, like a feather, then swung him on his
back, held him firmly with both hands, and went with his light burden down
the mountain.
When the Matten farmer saw Toni in such a sad condition, which remained
just the same, he was alarmed, for he had not expected such a thing. He
did not know at all what to do with the boy.
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