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Show 94 "I will, Gast." Hilde came out then with the flowers in her hair, and we each took one end of a board and carried it to the square. Gast carried the other board by himself. When we reached the square, most of the children were already there and the others were arriving fast. I took two buns and put them on the cobblestones next to my feet. As soon as I could I would throw them into the river. "These sweetmeats are my gift to you for all the help you gave me," Gast announced above the children's clamor. "Come up to me one at a time and you will receive your treat." The children came forward immediately, in single file at first, but then they began to crowd and push against us. Hilde and I worked as rapidly as vie were able, giving out the buns to the greedy boys and girls as Gast repeated, "One sweet to each child. A tpeat from Gast. Go slowly, there will be enough." Maria Gruelhot, carrying her baby sister on her hip, reached for two, but Gast said, "None for the baby, Maria. If she eats one, there will not be enough for the others who helped. Let me hold the baby while you eat your treat, Maria, that's right." He watched her until she finished it. The boards emptied rapidly and when all the buns had been taken, I bent to pick up the two I'd placed beside my feet. They were gone. "Here's yours, Geist," Hilde said, holding out a sweet for me. "Two of them fell off the board to the ground, but I found them." "Where are they?" I cried, my voice rising. |