father was killed at the Rehbock. I have never forgotten it since. I am
constantly seeing him lying dead before my eyes; lying there struck down
dead. I often dream about it, and in my dreams I am there--and--and
sometimes when I look at his dead form in my dreams, it is not my father
any more, but it is you--you, Dietrich, whom they have struck down dead at
the Rehbock."

Dietrich was going to laugh at these words, but he glanced into Veronica's
face and was silent. She was more in earnest than he had thought. He tried
to quiet and reassure her, by saying that it was only a dream, and nothing
to be afraid of. The dream came naturally enough, because she was always
dwelling upon the tragedy of her father's death, and in dreams every one
knows that faces are always changing. His explanation, however, did not
make much impression upon Veronica. She said no more about it; but not all
Dietrich's efforts were sufficient to chase the shadows from her face that
evening, although he exerted himself to be even more amusing than usual.
Gertrude observed her silence, as they sat about the table, and looked
anxiously at her. When they had separated for the night, Dietrich went
into his mother's room to have a talk with her. He told her what Veronica
had said, and begged her to reason with the young girl and urge her to lay
aside these groundless fears which had taken possession of her. He
represented to his mother, that of course he sometimes had things to talk
over with his companions, and that there surely was no harm in their going
to the Rehbock together for their conversations, and he begged her to make
Veronica see the whole affair in a reasonable light. Gertrude was shocked
to find that the child had heard and understood what she had said to the
doctor, and distressed that she had taken it so much to heart. She
promised to speak to Veronica, but she also cautioned her son against
forming an intimacy with Jost and Blasi. Dietrich cheerfully gave his
word; declaring that he was not particularly fond of their company. The