“The beautiful sunny autumn was drawing to a close, Christmas was coming, Kurt and Karl disclosed all their cherished dreams to Curlyhead, and assured him he should have his share of holiday presents.
“Lisa had a particular friend, Marie, who lived in the great farmhouse on the way to the Zillesback. Lisa was very anxious to visit this friend, for she could talk over her prospects for Christmas more fully with her than with her brothers. She had permission to go on her first free afternoon, and when the time came she was so impatient to start, that she could hardly hold still long enough for her mother to tie on her warm scarf. Then she ran bounding off, while her mother watched her until she was half-way down the hill; then she turned and went into the house again.
“At that moment it came into Lisa’s mind that Curlyhead would enliven the way if her brothers had not already taken him. She quickly turned around, ran back to the barn and took out Curlyhead. Together they ran down the hard path where the bright autumn leaves were dancing about in the wind. They soon reached the end of their journey, where Lisa and her friend where quickly lost in deep conversation, walking up and down on the sunny plot of ground in front of the house, while Curlyhead nibbled contentedly at the hedge.
“The two friends refreshed themselves occasionally with pears, and juicy, red apples, which grew in great abundance on the farm.
“Marie’s mother had brought out a great basketful, and Lisa was to carry home what were left. When it was time for Lisa to go home, Marie accompanied her a little way, and they still had so much to say that they were in sight of Lisa’s home before they knew it. Marie quickly took leave of her, and Lisa hurried up the path. It was already dark. Just as she reached the house the thought flashed through her mind like lightning: ‘Where is Curlyhead?’
“She knew she had taken him with her. She had seen him nibbling the hedge and then she had entirely forgotten him.
“In a most dreadful fright she rushed back down the mountain again. ‘Curlyhead, Curlyhead, where are you? Oh, come, come!’
“But all was still. Curlyhead was nowhere to be seen. Lisa ran back to the farmhouse. There was a light already in the window of the sitting-room, and she could look in from the stone steps by the house. They were all at the supper-table; father, mother, Marie and her brothers and the servants. The old cat lay on the bench by the stove; but nowhere was there a trace of Curlyhead to be seen as Lisa peered into all the corners. Then she ran around the house into the garden, around the hedge, again into the garden, and along the inside of the hedge, calling ‘Curlyhead, come now, oh! come, come!’