He was coming home, home for all time. He ran to the little house,
and his mother, who had already seen him, hurried out, and which one of
the two was the more delighted, no one could tell; but they were both so
happy, as they sat together again in the cottage, that they could think of
no greater fortune on earth. Their highest wish was fulfilled. Toni was a
wood-carver, and could carry on his work at home with his mother. And with
what blessings besides the dear Lord was still overwhelming them! From
Geneva such good things kept coming to Elsbeth, that she no longer had to
dread anxious days, and with each package came new assurance of the ready
acceptance of Toni's work.
Such a Christmas festival as was celebrated two days later in the stone
hut, neither Elsbeth nor Toni had ever known before, for the candles which
his mother had lighted shone out upon a quantity of things, which Toni had
received to wear, and also a whole set of the most beautiful knives for
carving and a book with pictures, of a size and beauty such as Toni had
never in all his life seen before. His master's book was a mere child's
toy beside it. Elsbeth too was lovingly provided for. The lady from Geneva
had planned everything, and the bright reflection from it fell back
radiantly into her own heart.
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