Ursula was not exactly musical, nor was she demonstrative, but she
showed her satisfaction by appropriating her share of the success.
"_I_ knew what was wanting!" she said, significantly. "The birds and
the blessed angels may sing on crumbs or on the waters of Paradise; but
goose and pudding are a great help to the alleluias here below."
"The archduchess will be enraptured, and the Cistercians will be
furious!" said the choir-master, equally pleased at both prospects.
But this Gottlieb did not hear, for he had availed himself of the first
free moment to run home and tell his mother how things had improved.
After that, Gottlieb had no more trouble about the master. The old
man's severity became comprehensible and dear to him, and a loving
liberty and confidence came into his bearing toward him, which went to
the heart of the childless old man, so that dearer than the praise of
the archduchess, or even the discomfiture of the Cistercians, became to
him the success and welfare of the child.
But then, unknown to himself, the poor boy entered on a new chapter of
temptations.
The other boys, observing the choir-master's love for him, grew
jealous, and called him sometimes "the master's little angel," and
sometimes "the little beggar of the hermitage" or "Dwarf Hans'
darling.
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