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"Oh yes he will, ma'am," replied the Stein-bok, "they're not going to kill him, their idea is to take him down to the village." "That they shall never do!" cried the Heif-mother, starting up, "not if I go myself to rescue him! Go, Lizbet, and call your brothers. We must consult together immediately." Lizbet darted off, and the Stein-bok continued.
I don't know how I'm to manage the short cut." "Oh, easy enough, ma'am," replied the Stein-bok; "you'll get on very well. Don't go in goloshes, though, for they will be sure to catch on the nails. I wouldn't wear my waterproof mantle either too large for a walking tour. Put on a shawl, and tie it round you."
"It would be acceptable, ma'am, and then I will tell you my news. You've heard nothing of the Goat-father, have you?" "Nothing," said the Goat-mother. "I am beginning to feel very nervous. I never knew him to stay away two days before." The Stein-bok looked round darkly. "I have something to tell you," he whispered. "Prepare for bad news. The Goat-father has been captured."
The principal news from the outer world was brought to the Heif family by a Stein-bok pedlar, who wandered about the country with his wares, and was so popular that he was a friend of all classes, and supplied even the Chamois with their groceries and tobacco.
"You see," said one, "this proves what I have always told you. Nothing is impossible to Nature. You may even hear cuckoos on a Glacier!" The Goat-mother arrived at home in a pitiable state of cold and exhaustion, but she was much cheered by finding the house in good order, and a warm supper awaiting her, prepared by the hands of the careful Stein-bok.
The luggage was at last reduced to a small leather handbag; and the Goat-mother, after solemnly bestowing her blessing on Lizbet and Lénora, and the door-key on the Stein-bok, set off down the garden path with her children, upon their adventures. Meanwhile, the Goat-father was languishing in a dark shed attached to the Inn on the other side of the Glacier.
Your hair is all standing on end, Heinrich! How I wish the Stein-bok had allowed me to bring a pocket-comb!" The Court Porter, seated in a bee-hive chair, came forward as soon as he saw them, to ask their business. "The Goat-King is at home to-day till five o'clock," he said. "If you will step this way, I will introduce you immediately."
By this time Heinrich and Pyto had hastily dressed themselves in out-door costume, and the Goat-mother was rushing about her house, collecting an extraordinary number of things, which the Stein-bok had some difficulty in persuading her not to take with her. "Not sugar nippers, ma'am, I beg; or your large work-box, or the mincing machine!
The Heif-mother gave a wild shriek, and fell back upon Lizbet, who was peeling potatoes in the doorway. "When where how who what?" she cried frantically. "Tell me at once, or I shall faint away." "Be calm, ma'am," said the Stein-bok soothingly. "I heard it from the Chamois, who have a habit of bounding about everywhere, as you know.
Throwing himself down on a stone bench, he tossed his Tyrolese hat on to the ground, and fanned himself with his handkerchief. "Good morning, Herr Stein-bok. You seem exhausted," said the Goat-mother. "I am, ma'am, and well I may be. Five miles with twenty pounds on my back is no joke, I can assure you." "Shall I bring you a glass of lager-beer?" enquired the Heif-mother.
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