5. The Flight

“Yes, I understand you. I must be—I must be—like you. I will be so.”

“If anyone asks you where you are going, you will answer that you are taking this wagon-load of hay to the house of Knich, who has bought it of your father.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“If we reach Knich’s house safe and sound, Knich will certainly come to the door to meet us. Do you hear?”

“Yes.”

“Then you will say to him: “What fine grain you have in your fields! I admired it while passing. It is still a little green, but I think, if necessary, one could use it, even before it is entirely ripe.’ It is very long, little girl, nevertheless you can remember the words, can you not?”

“Yes,” answered Maroussia, “listen, I am going to repeat them to you.”

She repeated them, forgetting nothing, not even a word.

“You are a little treasure!” said the Envoy. “Now let us hasten.”

He climbed up on the wagon, made a deep hole, and hid himself in the hay.

Maroussia walked as a teamster would have done, encouraging her oxen with her little voice, trembling somewhat at first; and the heavy wagon went forward, moving slowly.

The night, was nearly gone; a few rays of morning light could just be seen. The breeze grew fresher still, and the drops of dew on the dark grass shone with a more vivid brightness.