Oh, Peter, no wonder he said he never wanted to see any human being again. Only the two of us—”

The strongly built old man put his arm around her. “But he’s happy now. He loves his animals. They give him confidence for confidence, faithfulness for faithfulness, love for love. Remember that! Don’t feel sad for him, he doesn’t need it. He’s really happy with his forest beasts and birds, and his animals in the barn.”

Babette nodded, wiping her eyes. “Yes—you’re right. He’s made a little world for himself here in the forest.”

“It doesn’t seem so small to me,” Peter smiled. “Don’t forget, the sun and the stars are his friends too.”

While they were talking, Martin the hunchback was sitting on a stool near the garden with his drawing board on his knees, trying to sketch the heath cocks from memory. The horses lazed around him. Now and then Devil would look over Martin’s shoulder or Witch would rest her long jaw on his arm. This made Martin happy, for to him it meant that his animal friends accepted him as he was and did not mind his ugliness. He reached back to caress the soft velvet of Witch’s nose. Lisa, however, avoided him. She stood looking at him from a distance.

“What’s the matter with you?” Martin called to her. He took a handful of salt out of a pouch to lure her. But she stood still.

Martin arose. “Why are you so shy?” He went toward her. She retreated on clumsy legs. He laughed softly. “So! Your condition. That’s why you’re nervous. Now I understand.”

His soft voice had a soothing effect. Lisa stopped. He offered her the salt. She blew into his hand and licked the briny delicacy with her tongue.

Devil and Witch ambled up and both whispered to Lisa, “Don’t be afraid of Him. He won’t do you any harm.”

Martin’s free hand gently stroked Lisa’s forehead. “Be patient, good girl. You’ll soon have your calf.”

As if she had understood every word and suddenly remembered her dread, Lisa made a frightened leap sidewise and trotted stiffly away.