sed the words. She was still vexed for having so far
forgotten herself as to say anything against her husband.

"Good morning, Thoma! Good morning, mother!" suddenly sounded in
greeting the clear voice of Anton; he held out his hand and continued:

"Come, jump out and walk with me."

"No, you ride with us."

"I'll walk beside you," replied Anton, and rested his hand upon the
railing of the wagon, as he walked along.

The mother made excuses for having kept him waiting, and said that the
farmer was following on foot.

CHAPTER VII.

Upon entering the fair ground, Landolin was immediately greeted by the
farmer Titus, called the Mountain-king, whose estate lay on the other
side of the plateau. Titus offered him a large sum for the prize cow,
which Landolin haughtily refused. He was soon surrounded by a crowd of
farmers, who, partly in earnest, and partly in jest, charged him with
having ruined the fair by exhibiting her, for the other cattle looked
small and poor in comparison. Landolin smiled; he had brought her
merely to gratify his pride, but he was very well pleased to find that
he had been able to arouse the envy of others; and the annoyance of the
Mountain-king especially pleased him, as they had long been rivals. The
other farmers had really no ambition, their thoughts and efforts were
centered on gain. This was the case with the rivals, too, but in
addition to this, they desired a special recognition of their superior
importance.

The Mountain-king Titus had this advantage, he despised the world, and
let it be so understood; the man who does this the world runs after. He
acted as if (and perhaps it was true) he desired nothing from any one;
he had the indifference of the pretentious peasant; he might hear his
name spoken behind him seven times without so much as turning his head
to find out who spoke, or what was said of him. He rarely talked with
any one, but when he did, the person addressed was happy; "The
Mountain-king has just spoken to me, and so long, and so politely!"--he
who could say this was elated with the honor. Landolin, on the other
hand, despised the world no less than the Mountain-king; but he longed
for applause and homage, and when it was not voluntarily offered him,
he endeavored to compel it. He was boastful, and displayed his
condescension, or even his anxiety for the good opinion of this and
that one, and by that very means trifled away the desire