Moreover, she
insisted that Toni should remain, not two, but three months with the
carver, so that he could learn everything from the foundation. He could go
from here to visit his mother on Sundays, or she could come to him.
Elsbeth and Toni were so full of gratitude, they could find no words to
express it, but the lady understood them nevertheless and bore home a
happy heart, such as she had not had for a long time.
It came about just as the doctor had foreseen. The lady, who had not been
able to think any more about her home now desired to return to Geneva. She
had so many plans to carry out there, that she could hardly wait for the
day when she was to go back.
The doctor was delighted to consent to her going soon.
Toni, who had hardly begun with his new teacher, applied himself with so
much zeal and skill to his work, that the carver said to his wife in the
fourth week:
"If he goes on like this, he will learn to do better than I can."
The three months had come to an end, and Christmas was drawing near. One
morning Toni waded through the deep snow up to his home. He looked round
and fresh, and his heart was so happy he had to sing aloud as he came
along.
But when after a long walk, he suddenly saw the stone hut with the
fir-tree thickly covered with snow behind it, tears of joy came to his
eyes.
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