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Page 27
But no one came forward; no one could sing! Feklitus declared that there
was no need of singing; a speech, a procession, a banner, a collation;
why did they want anything else? But Oscar was determined to have a
song, and suddenly he thought of Fani. Where was Fani? He could sing,
and should sing. But Fani was not to be found, and soon the assembly
broke up; the members scattered, and the platform raised its head in
solitary grandeur.
Oscar ran home in a state of tremendous excitement. What would become of
his much-boasted festival if he could get no music for it? His father's
jests, Fred's air of superiority, all the mortifying consequences
rankled in his mind. Fani must be found, and if only he would lead, the
rest must somehow be got to join in.
As he reached the house, he met Emma just coming home.
"Where is Fani?" he asked. "Have you been putting him up to something
that has made him desert us and go off with you instead?"
Emma colored, but did not reply; she went on into the house, as if she
did not hear a word that Oscar said. As she came into the sitting-room,
Kathri opened the opposite door, saying:--
"Marget is here, asking if any one has seen Fani? she wants him in a
hurry, and has been hunting everywhere for him."
Emma's face and neck became flaming red; she seized her aunt's hand, and
drew her out of the room. Mrs. Stein went into the kitchen to see what
Marget's haste was. She learned that Mr. Bickel had just been to her
house to say that he wanted Fani immediately in the factory; he had a
place for him at once. He needn't leave school, but could come in the
afternoon and on holidays, and he would earn quite a good bit of money
directly. Marget had been trying in vain to find Fani, to come and talk
to her cousin; she was very much afraid that the great man would be
angry at being kept waiting, and Fani would lose the place.
Mrs. Stein told Marget that she would send Oscar to look everywhere for
the missing boy, and Marget went home.
Meantime, Emma had drawn her aunt into her own room, and as soon as they
were safely inside, with the door shut, she began in imploring tones:--
"Oh, aunty, help me! help me! so that no harm will come of it, and that
papa may not be angry with me, and make Fani's mother understand how
splendid it is going to be, and that Fani will be a great painter by and
by. He has gone to Basel to-day!"
"To Basel! I hope you are not in earnest, Emma!" said her aunt, much
disturbed.
"Yes, it is really true, aunty. Do go to Fani's mother and explain to
her that it's all right, and don't let her come to papa about it. I'll
tell you just how it was, and then you can tell Marget. I saw an
advertisement in a newspaper the other day, like this, 'A decorator in
Basel wants a lad, about twelve years of age, to do light work and learn
the business.' Then the address was given. I showed it to Fani, and we
both thought that it would be a good chance for him to learn to paint,
and at the same time to earn something, so that he needn't go into the
factory. Don't you remember that you said a decorator meant a
beautifier, and Fred said it meant a scene-painter? Fani can paint roses
and flowers and garlands, and he wanted awfully to go. At first he said
he must ask his mother; but then he thought it would be no use, because
she said painting was no work at all, but only nonsense. So we planned
that he should just go off; and then, if they asked where he was, I
should tell them; and as soon as he can, he is to write and tell them
that he is going to be a painter."
"This is terrible!" exclaimed her aunt.
"You've done great mischief, Emma. What will become of him, and how will
he get to Basel without money?"
Emma said she had given him all her own money, and he could certainly
reach Basel, and if only aunty would go and tell his mother about it,
all would be right. Aunty lost no time. She went directly to Heiri's
cottage, and met Mr. Bickel coming out from the door-way.
"As I have said," was his closing remark, "I will soon put a stop to his
loafing; for I will cut off his wages every hour that he idles."
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