the swiss twins-第2章

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himself　upon　Fritz；　and　in　a　moment　the　two　boys　were　rolling
about　on　the　floor；　yelling　like　Indians。　The　uproar　woke　Leneli；
and　the　baby　too；　and　Mother　Adolf；　hearing　the　noise；　came
running　from　the　goat…shed　just　in　time　to　find　Seppi　sitting　on
top　of　Fritz　beating　time　on　his　stomach　to　a　tune　which　he　was
singing　at　the　top　of　his　lungs。　The　baby　was　crowing　with
delight　as　she　watched　the　scuffle　from　Leneli's　arms。

Mother　Adolf　gazed　upon　this　lively　scene　with　dismay。　Then　she
picked　Seppi　off　Fritz's　stomach　and　gazed　sternly　at　her　oldest
son。　〃Fritz；〃　said　she；　〃I　told　you　to　be　quiet　and　not　wake　the
baby。〃

〃I　was　quiet；〃　said　Fritz；　sitting　up。　〃I　was　just　as　quiet　as　I
could　be；　but　they　wouldn't　wake　up　that　way；　so　I　had　to　pull
Seppi　out　of　bed；　there　was　no　other　way　to　get　him　up。〃　He
looked　up　at　his　mother　with　such　honest　eyes　that　in　spite　of
herself　her　lips　twitched　and　then　she　smiled　outright。

〃I　should　have　known　better　than　to　send　such　a　great　overgrown
pup　of　a　boy　as　you　on　such　an　errand；〃　she　said。　〃Bello　would
have　done　it　better。　Next　time　I　shall　send　him。

〃And　now；　since　you　are　all　awake；　I　will　tell　you　the　great　news
that　Father　told　me　last　night。　He　has　been　chosen　by　the　commune
to　take　the　herds　of　the　village　up　to　the　high　alps　to　be　gone
all　summer。　He　will　take　Fritz　with　him　to　guard　the　cattle　while
he　makes　the　cheese。　There　is　no　better　cheese…maker　in　all　the
mountains　than　your　father；　and　that　is　why　the　commune　chose
him；〃　she　finished　proudly。

More　than　anything　else　in　the　world；　every　boy　in　that　part　of
Switzerland　longs　to　go　with　the　herds　to　the　high　mountain
pastures　for　the　summer；　and　Fritz　was　so　delighted　that　he
turned　a　somersault　at　once　to　express　his　feelings。　When　he　was
right　side　up　again；　a　puzzled　look　came　over　his　face；　and　he
said；　〃Who　will　take　care　of　our　own　goats？〃

〃Ah；〃　answered　his　mother；　and　she　sighed　a　little。　〃There　is　no
one　but　Seppi　and　Leneli。　Together　they　must　fill　your　place；　and
you；　Fritz；　must　take　them　with　you　to…day　up　the　mountain　to
learn　the　way　and　begin　their　work。〃

〃To…day！　This　very　day？〃　screamed　the　Twins。　They　had　never　been
up　to　the　goat…pastures　in　their　lives；　and　it　was　a　most
exciting　event。

Then　Leneli　thought　of　her　mother。　She　flung　her　arms　about　her
neck。　〃But　who　will　stay　with　you；　dear　Mother？〃　she　cried。　〃All
day　you　will　be　alone；　with　everything　to　do　and　no　one　to　speak
to　but　the　baby。〃

〃Yes；〃　sighed　the　mother；　〃that　is　true。　It　will　be　a　long；
lonely　summer　for　me；　but　there　is　no　other　way；　so　we　must　each
do　our　part　bravely　and　not　complain。　It　is　good　fortune　that
Father　and　Fritz　will　both　be　earning　money　in　the　alps；　and；
with　wise　old　Bello　to　help　you；　you　will　soon　be　as　good
goatherds　as　your　brother。　Come；　now；　hurry　and　eat　your
breakfasts；　for　the　goats　are　already　milked　and　impatient　to　be
gone。〃

She　took　Roseli　in　her　arms　and　disappeared　down　the　stairs；　and
when；　a　few　moments　later；　the　Twins　and　Fritz　came　into　the
kitchen；　she　had　their　breakfast　of　bread　and　milk　ready　for
them；　and　their　luncheon　of　bread　and　cheese　wrapped　in　a　clean
white　cloth　for　Fritz　to　put　in　his　pocket。

Father　Adolf　came　back　from　the　garden；　where　he　had　been　hoeing
potatoes；　to　see　the　little　procession　start　away　for　the　hills。
First　came　the　goats；　frisking　about　in　the　fresh　morning　air　and
jingling　all　their　bells。　Then　came　Bello；　looking　very
important；　then　Fritz　with　a　cock's　feather　in　his　cap　and　his
little　horn　and　his　cup　slung　over　his　shoulder；　and　last　of　all
the　Twins。

〃It's　a　long　way；　my　children；〃　said　Mother　Adolf；　as　she　kissed
them　good…bye。　〃Your　legs　will　get　tired；　but　you　must　climb　on
just　the　same。　If　every　one　stopped　when　he　was　tired；　the
world's　work　would　never　be　done。　Learn　the　way　carefully　and
remember　always　to　pray　if　any　danger　comes。　You　are　very　near
the　good　God　on　the　mountain；　and　He　will　take　care　of　you　if　you
ask　Him；　never　fear。〃

〃Obey　Fritz；〃　said　Father　Adolf；　〃and　do　not　stray　off　by
yourselves。　Stay　always　with　Fritz　and　the　goats。〃

〃We　will；〃　cried　the　Twins；　and　away　they　ran　to　join　their
brother；　who　was　already　some　little　distance　ahead　of　them。　They
turned　as　the　path　rounded　the　great　cliff　where　the　echoes
lived；　and　the　Twins　waved　their　hands；　while　Fritz　played　his
merry　little　tune　on　the　horn。　Then　the　rocks　hid　them　from　view；
and　the　long　climb　began　in　earnest。

It　was　many　rough　uphill　miles　to　the　alps　where　the　goats　were
pastured；　and　the　stout　little　legs　ached　with　weariness　long
before　they　reached　the　patches　of　green　grass　which　were
reserved　for　them。　On　the　way　up　they　passed　fields　where　cows
were　grazing；　and　Bello　had　hard　work　to　keep　the　goats　in　the
path；　but　these　pastures　were　only　for　cows；　and　goats　were　not
allowed　in　them。　For　two　hours　they　climbed　steadily　up　and　up；
following　a　mountain　path　that　led　sometimes　beside　a　rushing
brook；　sometimes　along　the　edges　of　dizzy　precipices；　and　always
among　rocks　with　wonderful　views　of　distant　snow…capped　peaks
above　them　and　green；　green　valleys　below。

At　last；　when　it　seemed　to　the　weary　children　that　they　could　not
go　another　step；　they　came　out　upon　a　high　pasture；　where　Fritz
called　a　halt。　The　goats　leaped　joyfully　forward；　snatching
greedy　mouthfuls　of　the　rich　green　grass　which　grew　among　the
rocks。　Bello　flopped　heavily　down　on　a　flat　stone　with　his　tongue
hanging　out；　and　Fritz　and　the　Twins　rolled　over　on　their　backs
on　a　soft　carpet　of　grass　to　rest。

Almost　at　once　Seppi　said；　〃I'm　hungry。〃

〃So　'm　I；〃　said　Leneli。

〃You'll　be　hungry　all　the　time　up　here；〃　said　Fritz
encouragingly。　〃It's　the　air。〃

〃Let's　eat；〃　urged　Seppi。

Fritz　took　the　package　of　luncheon　from　his　pocket　and　opened　it。


〃It　looks　very　small。　It　looks　a　great　deal　smaller　than　it　did
at　home；〃　said　Leneli。　〃I　wonder　why？〃

〃You　are　hungrier　now　than　you　were　then；〃　said　Fritz。

〃I　could　eat　it　all　myself；〃　said　Seppi。

〃But　you　won't；〃　laughed　Fritz；　〃I'll　see　to　that。〃　He　divided
the　bread　and　cheese　into　three　equal　portions　and　handed　one　to
each　of　the　Twins。　The　third　he　put　in　his　own　pocket。　〃Now　I
don't　care　what　you　do　with　yours；〃　he　said；　〃only；　if　you　eat　it
all　now；　you'll　be　hungry　enough　to　browse　with　the　goats　before
it's　time　to　go　home。　Better　take　just　a　bite　and　a　drink　of
water　and　eat　more　by　and　by。〃

Seppi　looked　hungrily　at　his　portion　and　took　a　bite。　Then　he
just　couldn't　stop；　and　before　he　knew　it　his　whole　luncheon　was
gone　and　it　was　only　nine　o'clock　in　the　morning！

Leneli　took　two　bites　of　hers；　and　then；　wrapping　it　carefully　in
the　piece　of　cloth；　placed　it　high　up　on　an　overhanging　rock　out
of　the　way　of　temptation。　Then；　while　Fritz　was　teaching　Seppi
all　the　tricks　of　a　goat…boy's　trade；　she　found　a　soft　patch　of
grass　all　spangled　with　blue　gentians　and　fell　asleep　with　her
head　on　her　arm。　She　slept　for　some　time；　and　Fritz　and　Seppi；
seeing　how　tired　she　was；　did　not　disturb　her。

She　was　roused　at　last　by　the　tinkling　of　a　goat…bell　almost　over
her　head；　and　woke　up　just　in　time　to　see　her　luncheon；　cloth　and
all；　disappearing　into　the　mouth　of　Nanni；　the　brown　goat！　Poor
Leneli　screamed　with　dismay；　and　Fritz　and　Seppi；　thinking
perhaps　she　had　hurt　herself；　came　dashing　to　her　side。　Leneli
was　boiling　with　rage。　She　could　only　point　at　Nanni；　who　stood
calmly　out　of　reach　above　them　with　the　last　scrap　of　cloth
dangling　from　her　lips。

〃You　wretched；　black…hearted　pig　of　a　goat！〃　she　screamed；
stamping　her　foot。　〃You've　eaten　every　bit　of　my　lunch；　and　I'd
only　taken　two　little　teeny　bites！　Oh；　I　wish　I'd　eaten　it　all
like　that　greedy　Seppi！〃

Fritz　and　Seppi　were　sorry；　but　when　they　saw　the　goat　looking
down　at　Leneli　so　calmly　while　she　stormed　and　scolded　below；
they　rolled　over　on　the　ground　helpless　with　laughter。

〃It's　all　very　well　for　you　to　laugh；　sniffed　Leneli；　〃you've
both　got　your　lunches；〃　and　she　went　away　quite　sulkily　and　sat
down　on　a　stone　by　herself。　Bello　came　and　sat　beside　her　and
licked　her　hand。

Fritz　had　to　dash　away　just　then　after　a　straying　goat；　but　he
was　soon　back　again　with　his　luncheon　in　his　hand。　〃Here；〃　he
said；　〃you　can　have　some　of　my　bread　and　cheese。〃

〃Oh；　Fritzi；〃　said　Leneli　gratefully；　〃you　are　as　good　and　kind
as　that　goat　is　bad；　but　I'm　going　to　take　only　a　teeny　mouthful；
just　to　keep　me　from　starving！〃

〃All　right；〃　said　Fritz；　holding　the　slice　of　bread　for　her　to
bite。　〃To…morrow　we'll　ask　Mother　to　put　up　more　bread　and
cheese；　and　if　you　get　hungry　again；　you　can　milk　old　Nanni
herself　and　get　even　with　her　that　way。〃

〃But　I　don't　know　how　to　milk；〃　said　Leneli　with　her　mouth　full。

〃It's　time　you　learned　then；〃　said　Fritz　briskly。　〃You've　seen
Mother　do　it　over　and　over　again。　Come；　I'll　teach　you。〃

Nanni；　the　goat；　had　leaped　down　from　her　high　perch；　and　was　now
taking　a　drink　from　a　little　sparkling　mountain　rill　which　flowed
through　the　pasture。

〃Come　along；〃　said　Fritz。　〃There's　no　time　like　the　present；〃
and；　taking　his　cup　in　his　hand；　he　started　toward　her。

Leneli　hung　back　a　little。　〃Nanni　is　the　naughtiest　goat　in　the
whole　flock；〃　she　said　resentfully。　〃If　it　weren't　for　getting　my
lunch　back；　I　wouldn't　try　to　milk　her。〃

It　may　be　that　Nanni　heard　it　and　was　offended；　or　it　may　be　that
she　knew　that　she　had　no　milk　to　give　them　so　early　in　the
morning。　Anyway；　she　made　up　her　mind　she　would　not　be　bothered
at　that　time　of　day；　so　as　fast　as　they　came　near　her；　she　walked
on　a　few　steps；　and　by　the　time　they　had　reached　that　spot　she
had　moved　farther　still。

〃We　mustn't　frighten　her；〃　said　Fritz；　〃It's　bad　for　the　milk。〃

For　some　time　they　patiently　followed　her　about；　and　at　last　just
as　they　were　ready　to　lay　hands　upon　her；　she　suddenly　leaped
upon　a　rock　and　from　that　to　a　higher　one；　until　she　stood　far
out　of　reach　on　a　dizzy　overhanging　cliff。

〃That　Nanni！〃　cried　Fritz　wrathfully　as　he　prepared　to　follow
her。　〃She'll　break　her　pesky　neck　and　mine　too　some　day。〃

He　climbed　a　tree　for　a　short　cut　to　the　cliff　and　dropped　from
an　overhanging　branch　to　the　narrow　shelf　of　rock　in　front　of　the
goat。　Bello；　meanwhile；　ran　back　and　forth　below；　barking　like
everything；　but　quite　unable　either　to　follow　Nanni　up　the　steep
trail；　or　to　climb　the　tree　as　Fritz　had　done。

〃Come；　Nanni；〃　said　Fritz；　holding　out　his　hand　as　he　stepped
carefully　toward　her。

Nanni　sniffed　and　backed。　Leneli　and　Seppi　watched　from　below；
breathless　with　anxiety。　If　she　should　back　too　much　she　might
fall　over　the　cliff　and　be　killed。　If　she　should　dash　forward　she
might　knock　Fritz　over　it　instead。　But　Fritz　was　a　wise　goat…
boy！　He　put　his　hand　in　his　pocket　and　drew　out　a　handful　of
salt；　which　he　kept　for　just　such　times　as　this。　He　held　it　out
toward　Nanni　and　carefully　and　slowly　backed　away　from　the　edge
of　the　cliff；　coaxing　her　to　follow　him。　As　she　stepped　forward；
he　stepped　back；　and　in　this　way　led　her　by　a　roundabout　path
down　the　farther　side　of　the　rocks　to　the　place　where　the　other
goats　wore　still　feeding。

〃Oh；　Fritzi；　I