No, she was obliged to see that it was extremely doubtful whether
her father would receive any warning unless she reached the foot of the
descent before he did.
So she went at her utmost speed down the steep stony track to Pardisla.
New powers seemed to have come to her with the intensity of her
suspense.
* * * * *
George Fasch had every reason to be content with the way in which he had
managed his business at Zurich; and yet, as he travelled back to
Mayenfeld, he was in a desponding mood. All the way to Zurich his sister
had talked about Anna. She said she had tried her utmost with the girl,
and that she grew worse and worse.
"She is reckless and thoroughly unreliable," she said, "and she gets
more stupid every day. If you were wise you would put her into a
reformatory."
George Fasch shrugged his shoulders.
"She is affectionate," he said bluntly, "and she is very unselfish. I
should be sorry to send her from home."
Christina held up her hands.
"I call a girl selfish who gives so much trouble. Gretchen has to wash
out three skirts a week for Anna. She is always spoiling her clothes. I,
on the contrary, call her very selfish, brother."
George Fasch shrugged his shoulders again; he remembered the red and
green apron, and he supposed that Christina must be right; and now, as
he travelled back alone, he asked himself what he must do.
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