But country life on a farm has its diversions.  One of Mary’s and Ralph’s greatest pleasures after a busy day at the farm was a drive about the surrounding country early Summer evenings, frequently accompanied by either Elizabeth or Pauline Schmidt, their nearest neighbors.

One of the first places visited by them was a freak of nature called “Rocky Valley,” situated at no great distance from the farm.

[Illustration:  Professor Schmidt]

CHAPTER VII

Professor Schmidt.

A small country place named “Five Oaks,” a short distance from “Clear Spring” farm, was owned by a very worthy and highly-educated, but rather eccentric, German professor.  He came originally from Heidelberg, but had occupied the position of Professor of German for many years in a noted university in a near by town.  A kind, warm-hearted, old-fashioned gentleman was the Professor; a perfect Lord Chesterfield in manners.  Very tall, thin almost to emaciation, although possessed of excellent health; refined, scholarly looking:  a rather long, hooked nose, faded, pale-blue eyes; snowy, flowing “Lord Dundreary” whiskers, usually parted in the centre and twisted to a point on either side with the exceedingly long, bony fingers of his well-kept, aristocratic-looking white hands.  He had an abrupt, quick, nervous manner when speaking.  A fringe of thin, white hair showed at the lower edge of the black silk skull cap which he invariably wore about home, and in the absence of this covering for his bald head, he would not have looked natural to his friends.

The Professor always wore a suit of well-brushed, “shiny” black broadcloth, and for comfort old-fashioned soft kid “gaiters,” with elastic in the sides.  He was a man with whom one did not easily become acquainted, having very decided opinions on most subjects.  He possessed exquisite taste, a passionate love of music, flowers and all things beautiful; rather visionary, poetical and a dreamer; he was not practical, like his wife; warm-hearted, impulsive, energetic Frau Schmidt, who was noted for her executive abilities.  I can imagine the old Professor saying as Mohammed has been quoted as saying, “Had I two loaves, I would sell one and buy hyacinths to feed my soul.”  Impulsive, generous to a fault, quick to take offense, withal warm-hearted, kind and loyal to his friends, he was beloved by the students, who declared that “Old Snitzy” always played fair when he was obliged to reprimand them for their numerous pranks, which ended sometimes, I am obliged to confess, with disastrous results.  The dignified old Professor would have raised his mild, blue, spectacled eyes in astonishment had he been so unfortunate as to have overheard the boys, to whom he was greatly attached, call their dignified preceptor by such a nickname.

The Professor’s little black-eyed German wife, many years younger than her husband, had been, before her marriage, teacher of domestic science in a female college in a large city.  “She was a most excellent housekeeper,” to quote the Professor, and “a good wife and mother.”