86 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



Berger now jumped up, and pushing aside the table 

 to make more room, was in an instant dancing first 

 with one then with another of the sisters. It would 

 have made the prettiest picture in the world, that dark 

 wainscoted room, with its low ceiling also of dark 

 wood, the girl playing the cithern and the other group 

 dancing to its music, with the impenetrable, imper- 

 turbable, silent old aunt sitting quite in shade in the 

 background, and calmly looking on. There is nothing 

 more infectious than the dance ; as soon as Berger 

 stopped I took the other sister and danced with her ; 

 a matter requiring some little skill, so small was the 

 space we had to perform in. When one pair stopped 

 the other began ; the walking and climbing of the day 

 was forgotten, and we changed partners many a time 

 that evening before we thought of going to our beds. 

 However, as we were to be up early on the morrow, 

 some hours' rest was not to be disregarded. My little 

 bed-room was as comfortable as possible ; everything 

 was homely, but neat and deliciously clean. 



IN a preceding chapter I spoke of the high estimation 

 in which the Solachers hold their calling; how they 

 love it above every other, and look upon all other joys 

 as tame and insignificant, when compared to those 

 which their free mountain-life affords. Some such 

 feeling Kobell has embodied in a little poem, of which 



