He
struggled against the clutch, and would not look up or be detached.
"Fie, poor little coward!" taunted the old lady; "never heed him,
Ebbo, my brave Baron!"
Cut to the heart, Christina took refuge in her room, and gathered her
Friedel to her bosom, as he sobbed out, "Oh, mother, the poor little
wolf! Oh, mother, are you weeping too? The grandmother should not
so speak to the sweetest, dearest motherling," he added, throwing his
arms round her neck.
"Alas, Friedel, that Ebbo should learn that it is brave to hurt the
weak!"
"It is not like Walther of Vogelwiede," said Friedel, whose mind had
been much impressed by the Minnesinger's bequest to the birds.
"Nor like any true Christian knight. Alas, my poor boys, must you be
taught foul cruelty and I too weak and cowardly to save you?"
"That never will be," said Friedel, lifting his head from her
shoulder. "Hark! what a howl was that!"
"Listen not, dear child; it does but pain thee."
"But Ebbo is not shouting. Oh, mother, he is vexed--he is hurt!"
cried Friedel, springing from her lap; but, ere either could reach
the window, Ebbo had vanished from the scene.
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