“No, that is quite impossible,” said Erick, thoroughly convinced.  “But now, since you know all, I will tell you a good deal more about the estate, for I know much more, and Mother and I have talked so often about it,” so Erick told more and more until they reached home, where both of them were much distracted, for both were wandering in thought about the beautiful estate far away.  The mother looked several times now at the one, then at the other, for nothing unusual in her children ever escaped her motherly eye; but she said nothing.  When later she had prayed with the children, and was now standing in her own bedroom, she heard how Sally, in her little bedroom beside hers, was praying loud and earnestly to God.

The mother wondered what could so occupy the thoughts of her little girl, who was usually so open and communicative.  What had happened this evening, and what was urging her to such a pleading prayer, and why had she not said a word about it?  Could the child have a secret trouble?  She softly opened the door a little, and now heard how Sally several times in succession fervently prayed:  “Oh, dear God, please bring it about that Erick may come to his grandfather on the beautiful estate.”

Now the mother entered Sally’s room.  “My dear child,” she said, “for what did you pray just now to the dear God?  Will you explain it to me?”

But Sally made such an uproar that the mother stopped with surprise.  “You did not hear it, Mother?  I hope you have not understood it, Mother.  Have you?  You must not know it, Mother, no one must know it.  It is a great secret.”

“But, dear child, do be quiet and listen to me,” said the mother kindly.  “I heard that you prayed to the dear God for something for Erick.  Perhaps we, too, could do something for him.  Tell me what you know, for it may lead to something good for him.”

“No, no,” cried Sally in the greatest excitement, “I will say nothing, I have promised him, and I do not know anything else than for what I have prayed.”  And Sally threw herself on her pillow and began to sob.

Now the mother ordered her to be quiet and let the thing rest.  She would not ask her any more, nor speak of it.  Sally should do as she felt, and surrender everything to the dear God.  But the mother put two things together in her mind.  When Marianne had come to take leave, she had questioned her about Erick’s mother and the latter’s condition; also whether Marianne knew her maiden name.  But Marianne did not know much, only once she had seen a strange name, but had not been able to read it.  It was when Erick, at one time, had taken the cover from his mother’s little Bible; then she saw a name written with golden letters.  Erick must have the little Bible.  The lady had seen the little black book in Erick’s box and had taken off the close-fitting cover and had found written in fine gold letters the name, “Hilda von Vestentrop”.  She at once assumed that this must be the maiden name of Erick’s mother; but she knew nothing further.