Page 37 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology Page 37
14 THE CHRIST-CHILD

up, he would spill them all again, and burst
into roars of laughter. He was two years
older than Heinrich, and a great deal stouter
and stronger. Heinrich was very much
afraid of him, but once he was roused to
fight. Little Gertrude was climbing up the
door steps, with her small porringer of water
in one hand, and holding up the rags of her
robe with the other. She had much trouble
to get along ; for the porringer was very full,
and the tatters of her gown tangled her little
naked feet. Wolfgang saw her, and tried to
throw his leather ball so as to hit the por
ringer ; but instead of that, it hit her eye, and
made her lose her balance and fall back
ward. She was not hurt very badly, but
she cried out aloud with fright ; and Hein
rich flew at their troublesome neighbour like
a wild cat. Wolfgang easily threw him
down, and beat him and kicked him till he
made the blood spout from his nose. He
might have half killed him, if Heinrich's
father had not happened to come along.
He seized Wolfgang by the collar, and gave
him a terrible thrashing. Thus did they live
like wild beasts, in that dark, dirty court.
No one had ever taught them that there was
a better way to conquer enemies, than by
fighting and scolding. Violence always