"Oh," shuddered Leneli, "do you suppose our house was in the path
of it?"

Seppi thought a moment; then he said soberly, "No, that couldn't
be, for there is a wide hollow between our farm and the mountain-
slope that would have to be filled first. I'm quite sure no
avalanche could possibly carry the house away."

"Father--Fritz," sobbed Leneli.

"They are far round on the other side of the mountain by this
time," said Seppi, "where the sun has not yet had so much chance
to melt the snow and start avalanches. They could not have been
harmed by this one, for it fell on our side of the mountain."

"Let us start home anyway," said Leneli, "even if it is early. I
can't wait until night to know that Mother and Baby Roseli are
safe."

"We ought to keep the goats up here eating all day," objected
Seppi, "or they won't give any milk to-night."

"They may not give much anyway," answered Leneli, "because
they've been so frightened, but we will let them go slowly and
they can get a bite here and there as they go."

She took up her alpenstock, a long stick which she always carried
with her, hung the little bundle of lunch, tied up in a cloth,
from the end of it, put the stick over her shoulder, and, calling
Bello, began at once to herd the goats together.