the fishermen that which no human being must know,--that which had
destroyed the gayety of his youth? "What have I to do with the
German Heinrich?"

"Nothing more than a pious Christian has to do with the devil!"
replied she, and made the sign of the cross. "But Heinrich has
whispered an evil word in your ear; he has banished your joyous
humor, as one banishes a serpent."

"Has he told you this?" exclaimed Otto, and breathed more quickly.
"Tell me all that he has said!"

"You will not make me suffer for it!" said she. "I am innocent, and
yet I have cooperated in it: it was only a word but a very unseemly
word, and for it one must account at the day of judgment!"

"I do not understand you!" said Otto, and his eyes glanced around
to see whether any one heard. They were quite alone. In the far
distance the boat with the fishermen showed itself like a dark
speck.

"Do you remember how wild you were as a boy? How you fastened
bladders to the cat's legs and tail, and flung her out of the
loft-window that she might fly? I do not say this in anger, for I
thought a deal of you; but when you became too insolent one might
wall say, 'Can no one, then, curb this lad?' See, these words I
said!--that is my whole fault, but since then have lain heavy on my
heart. Three years ago came the German Heinrich, and stayed two
nights in our house; God forgive it us! Tricks he could play, and
he understood more than the Lord's Prayer--more than is useful to a