Towards evening Sintram awoke.

He saw the good Rolf sitting at his bedside, and looked up in the old man's kind face with a smile of unusually innocent brightness.

But soon again his dark brows were knit, and he asked, "How did my father receive you, Rolf?
Did he say a harsh word to you ?" "No, my dear young lord, he did not; indeed he did not speak to me at all.

At first he looked very wrathful; but he checked himself, and ordered a servant to bring me food and wine to refresh me, and afterwards to take me to your room." "He might have kept his word better.

But he is my father, and I must not judge him too hardly.