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"So far," I could not help saying to my friends, "I have seen no signs of the 'roughing it' for which you prepared me. I call this luxurious." "Yes, this is very comfortable," said Herr von Walden. "At Silberbach, which we shall reach to-morrow evening, all will be much more homely." "But that is what I like," I maintained stoutly. "I assure you I am not at all difficile, as the French say."
And those I suppose we are sure to find." "Milk and eggs yes, I suppose so. Butter is doubtful once you leave the tourist track, and the bread will be the sour bread of the country." "I don't mind that nor do the children. But if the worst comes to the worst we need not stay at Silberbach we can always get away."
It is not like Alsace, where now and then one does meet with rather queer customers in the forests. So good-bye, then, my dear, for the next two or three weeks and may you enjoy yourself." "Especially at Silberbach?" "Even at Silberbach that is to say, even if I have to own you were right and I wrong.
"And it might remind Nora of the blue paper parcel. I think I shall give the cup and saucer to my sister." And on my return to England I did so. Two years later. A very different scene from quaint old Kronberg, or still more from the dreary "Katze" at Silberbach. We are in England now, though not at our own home.
We must have been really very tired, for, quite contrary to our habit, the children and I slept late the next morning, undisturbed by the departure of our friends at the early hour arranged by them. The sun was shining, and Silberbach, like every other place, appeared all the better for it. But the view from the window of our room was not encouraging.
The postmaster was a very old man, but of a very different type from our host. He was sorry to disappoint us, but the mail only stopped here for letters all passengers must begin their journey at I forget where leagues off on the other side from Silberbach. We wanted to get away? He was not surprised. What had we come for? No one ever came here. Were we Americans!
Perhaps the worthy Herr had himself been influenced in the same way more than he realised. "I don't see why I should do so," I said. "We expect really to enjoy ourselves at Silberbach. You have no reason for advising me to give it up?" "No, oh no none in particular," she replied. "I have only a feeling that it is rather out of the way and lonely for you.
A horrible, ridiculous feeling came over me that we were caught in a net, as it were, and doomed to stay at Silberbach for the rest of our lives. But I looked at the man. He was simply stolid and indifferent. I did not believe then, nor do I now, that he was anything worse than sulky and uncivilised.
"But I daresay there would be nothing to hurt us! Anyway, I will write to reassure you that we have not fallen into a nest of cut-throats or brigands," I said laughingly. Certainly it never occurred to me or to my friends what would be the nature of the "experience" which would stamp Silberbach indelibly on our memory.
Far below gleamed already some twinkling cottage lights, and the silvery reflection of a small piece of water. "To be sure," said young von Trachenfels, "there is a lake at Silberbach. Here we are at last! But where is the 'Katze'?" He might well ask. Never was there so tantalising a place as Silberbach.
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