Salo had the reins pressed into his hands before he knew it.  With a bound his new friend had jumped to the ground and called back, “If you don’t move, the horses will stay quiet, too.”  Quickly opening the carriage, he lifted Leonore out and carried her up to the little room which had been got ready for her.  Mrs. Maxa followed at his heels.  He then turned hurriedly back to his young substitute, for he felt a little uneasy at the thought of what might happen to the horses and carriage.  The boy might want to drive about and the horses might begin to jump.  But no; stiff and immovable, the boy sat at his post, firmly holding the reins.

Even now when a party of eight feet came running towards him, Salo did not move.  The calls of “Uncle Philip, Uncle Philip!” sounded with more vigor than usual, because the children had not expected him back so soon, and therefore had to celebrate his coming with double energy.  Uncle Philip was immediately surrounded, and eight arms held him so tight that there was no use in struggling.

“Just look at my young nobleman up there,” he said, vainly trying to get free.  “He certainly knows what it means to remain firmly at his post and do his duty.  If he had not held the reins tightly, your wild cries would have driven horses and carriage down the ravine long ago.”

All arms suddenly dropped and all eyes were directed towards the figure on the coachman’s seat.  In the unexpected joy of their uncle’s return nobody had noticed the boy.  Uncle Philip, who was free now, let Salo get down and introduced him to the children.

Salo had a friendly greeting for every one and his eyes sparkled gaily when he shook their hands.  His whole appearance was so attractive and engaging that the children immediately took a liking to him.  With lively gestures they surrounded him like an old acquaintance, so that Salo quickly felt that he had come among good friends.  Even the reserved Bruno, whom nobody had ever been able to approach, linked Salo’s arm confidentially in his in order to conduct the guest into the house.

Here Bruno sat down beside Salo and the two were immediately immersed in the most eager conversation.  Mea, Kurt and Lippo were hunting everywhere for their mother, for they had not the faintest idea where she had gone.

When Uncle Philip came back, he called them together and told them where their mother was and what she wished them to know through him.  As she had brought a sick child with her, she could have no intercourse with the children for two or three days.  The doctor had also forbidden them to go up to the sick-room, and they were to do the best they could during that time.  If the sickness should get worse, a nurse was to come to the house and then the mother would be free again.  If the illness was to be slight, on the contrary, the children would be admitted to the sick-room and make Leonore’s acquaintance.  They could even help a little in her care, for the mother would not then be obliged to keep them apart.  Maezli was to be sent to Apollonie every morning and was to spend the day there.  Not to be able to have a glimpse of their mother for two or three days was depressing news indeed.  The three children’s faces were absolutely disconcerted, for the obstacles were clearly insurmountable.