Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/41

Rh unsteady, and his cheeks sufficiently rubicund. He immediately recognized Frederick—"It is thou, my fine boy," exclaimed he; "thou hast returned again. That is well; that is well. Hast thou learned the noble profession of cooper? I remember that the mad master Holzschuer pretended, when I spoke to him concerning thee, that thou wast formed for carving figures and balustrades, like what are seen here in the church of Saint Sebald, and at Augsburg in the house of Fugger. But all those stories had very little effect on me, and I congratulate thee on having chosen for thyself the good calling. Be then a thousand times welcome at my house."

Speaking thus, master Martin closely embraced him. Poor Frederick felt his courage return in the arms of the cooper, and he hastened to profit by this fortunate opportunity to solicit the admission of himself and companion into the workshop of master Martin.

"Be thou still more, and both of you, welcome," added the cooper, "for at this moment work is coming in from all quarters, and good workmen are rare. Throw down your travelling bags, and come into our banquet; dinner is nearly at an end, but we shall yet find for you some scraps, and Rosa will take charge of you and treat you well."

They all three entered the dining-room. All the venerable masters of the society of coopers were joyfully seated at tables presided over by the worthy chief, Jacob Paumgartner. These gentlemen were at dessert, and Rhine wine sparkled like gilded wares in goblets of great capacity. The conversation was very animated, and interrupted by hearty bursts of laughter, which made the glasses tremble; but when master Martin appeared, with the two companions whom he wished to present, all eyes were turned towards the new comers, and silence reigned as if by enchantment. Reinhold threw an assured glance around him; but Frederick, his eyes cast down, felt his heart ready to fail him.

Master Martin placed the two friends at the end of the table: and that place, the humblest a moment since, became 4