to; and his sausages and meat and eggs he placed in the middle of the
table. As soon as their admiration and surprise had a little subsided,
they all fell to and ate with a wonderful relish, and the children were
munching the sweet figs quite late into the evening.




CHAPTER XVIII.

TWO HAPPY TRAVELLERS.


On Monday evening the journey was to begin. The horse-dealer had
impressed this fact so thoroughly on Rico's memory, that there was not a
chance for a mistake. After the farewells were all said, Rico and
Stineli went towards Sils together, while her mother, with all the
little children clustered about her, stood upon the doorstep and looked
after them.

Sami accompanied them to carry the portmanteau on his head, and Rico
carried the basket on one side, and Stineli held it on the other.
Stineli's clothes had just filled it.

When they reached the church in Sils, Stineli said, "Oh, if my
grandmother could only see us now! We will go to say good-by to her,
Rico." He was very willing, and told Stineli how he had already tried to
find the grave, but had not succeeded.

The girl was better informed than her brother.