At last she gathered them in, all but one foolish, blank-eyed gander, which, poising on a large boulder, threatened to dive headforemost into the torrent.
She coaxed him gently, then severely, but without success.

The old man in patches came up.
"Let me get him for you, _Kindchen_," he volunteered.
The good-fellowship in his voice impressed her far more than the humble state of his dress.

But she smiled and shook her head.
"It is dangerous," she affirmed.

"It will be wiser to wait.

In a little while he will come down of his own accord." "Bah!" cried the old man.