chapter10 2
"Good climber. Very determined.
'How do you know?" asked Ulrich. 'Climbed with him when he was here before said Gottfried, putting tobacco in his pipe instead of using
"Why didn't he employ you again then, very faithful me?' Ulrich knew that satisfied customers were to their guides, so he was curious at this switch by Edward
Had a bit of a disagreement, We were on the Matterhorn, he wanted to carry on climbing, I said no, the weather was changing. won, he didn't like it." Gottfried added more tobacco to his pipe, and lit it. "Good luck," he added,
Some of the other guides were listening to this exchange nodding maybe they'd heard Gottfried's story before and they'd maybe they were remembering similar experiences had with clients who thought that because they were paying, they had the final word. Ulrich knew from his father that this was dangerous ground
He also knew that there were ways of getting the message across to clients without being rude to them. And Gottfried, despite his climbing ability, said exactly what he thought, and didn't care how it sound Still, hed have to careful next week.
Nothing more was said about Edward Crowe. Ulrich stayed a little longer, mainly listening to the stories of the older guides and adding any useful bits of information his store of knowledge.
In the days that followed, Ulrich and his mother worked in the fields. He made several more trips down to the village with hay for the animals in winter on one occasion he saw Marianne walking down the main street with little Marjorie and Edward Crowe All three of them were laughing about something together. Ulrich didn't disturb them. when
The following Wednesday, in the early morning most of the village was still asleep, he walked over to the Hotel Monte Rosa. There he found Edward Crowe ready and waiting. They set off as the sky was beginning to lighten. It was two months after the longest day, and the dawn was noticeably later now. Another reminder that autumn was approaching. They walked together in silence for a while.
The further they went on, however, the more relaxed Mr Crowe seemed to get. Whenever they stopped for a rest or admire Ulrich was asked questions about the area names of the different mountains, birds, plants and about his life in Zermatt. Ulrich, not normally a tive man, was affected by the obvious enthusiasm of Edward Crowe. That evening, in a mountain hut built for climbers, Ulrich listened to Edward Crowe talking about the area of England where he came from. To him, the Lake District sounded a familiar sort of place and again he realised how much Edward Crowe loved mountains and climbing. And he understood this feeling because he felt it too.
The following day, after another early start, they successfully climbed to the top of the Gornergrat and were even able to continue to the next mountain, Hohtalli. It had been Mr Crowe's suggestion that they should go on and Ulrich was happy to agree. The weather was fine and in Ulrich's judgement there was enough time to complete the climb and get back down to Zermatt before dark. He recognised the determination in Mr Crowe that Gottfried had mentioned, but felt it was acceptable on this occasion
His judgement was right. The expedition was completed successfully. Both days had provided excellent climbing and Ulrich delivered a very satisfied customer back to the Monte Rosa that evening. Marianne was walking across the hall as they entered the hotel. Ulrich thought how attractive she looked as she smiled a welcome to them both. The two men went into the bar, Ulrich received his fee and, as he hoped, a considerable tip a good agreed We made
"Thank you, Ulrich, for your work. Ulrich firmly by team I believe," said Mr Crowe, shaking for the summer the hand. "Next year I intend to come back want you to be and I would like to climb the Matterhorn. I my guide. Would you be agreeable to this?
'Of course. I will be happy to climb with you again, course, I replied Ulrich. "You are leaving Zermatt now?'
At the end of the week. I must return to my work and Mrs Crowe is missing her home. She and Marjorie to come with me next year, we shall see.' Mr Crowe seemed he be thinking about another life in another world, but wished Ulrich a good winter and said goodbye. after Ulrich and Marianne
Life returned to normal for summer the Crowes had left for England. At the end of the fields to they brought the animals down from the upland their winter quarters in the village. And as usual, Marianne
All the animals belonging to the village were being during that week, so Zermatt became used brought down to seeing well fed, healthy looking cows some of them decorated with wild flowers and bells coming down the main street.