Findelkind

A little boy had done all that; and this little boy had been called Findelkind: Findelkind, just like himself.

Findelkind 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

Findelkind was a child, like that Findelkind that was in heaven.

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

Findelkind, whose vivid brain always saw everything that he imagined as if it were being acted before his eyes, in fancy saw his two dear lambs floating dead down the swollen tide, entangled in rushes on the flooded shore, or fallen with broken limbs upon a crest of rocks.

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

His mother, being sleepless and anxious, had risen long before it was dawn, and had gone to the children's chamber, and had found the bed of Findelkind empty once more.

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

Findelkind this time called the big dog Waldmar to him, and with the dog beside him went once more out into the cold and the gloom, whilst his father and mother, his brothers and sisters, were sleeping, and poor childless Katte alone was awake.

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

Findelkind was gone forever; gone were all the heroes and knights; gone all the faith and the force; gone every one who cared for the dear Christ and the poor in pain.

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

For the worst -- or the best -- of it all was that he WAS Findelkind.

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

The dog was a clever mountaineer, too, but Findelkind did not wish to lead him into danger.

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

Findelkind set his lantern down, braced himself up by drawing tighter his old leathern girdle, set his sheepskin cap firm on his forehead, and went towards the sound as far as he could judge that it might be.

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873

Findelkind did not weep, or scream, or tremble; his heart seemed frozen, like the dead lambs,

Bimbi 1839-1908 Ouida 1873