| OCR Text |
Show 26 I hurried to start the afternoon baking, and I was so exultant that I did the work in half the time, my fingers flying almost by themselves to knead the dough and shape the loaves. I roared at the rats and laughed out loud when they hurtled out of the way and scrabbled into holes beneath the floor. I was still grinning idiotically when Hilde came up behind me and said in a rush of words, "Geist, my father said that I have to help with the work. I don't mind at all, I'll do all of it, if you will only arrange to have me see the stranger again. I can sneak out of the house after dark, when my father is asleep. I'm afraid to go out after dark, but if you will take me, Geist, I'll give you my silver ring, it must be worth something...." "Why do you want to see him so badly?" I asked, astonished at her outburst. "The music he plays.. .mostly the music. And the man himself... I don't know, but I have to see him again. My silver ring, I'll give you that and...." "Oh, God's body, I don't want your silly ring or anything else. If it means so much to you, I'll ask him if you can come." "Thank you, Geist, thank you!" I think she would actually have taken my hand and kissed it if I hadn't pulled away. What a crazy girl! She acted as though her brains were addled. Well, Gast had shown some interest in her, it was true. I guess she was so starved for attention that she acted like a groveling puppy when someone gave it a pat on the head. I would tell Gast how much Hilde wanted to see him. Maybe she could be useful, listening to what went on between |
