no. We arrive at what we have longed to know, the fact that
there are secrets of which our narrow minds can never have anything
more than a dim idea, although certain philosophers, who take the
chimeras of their own brains for the revelations of omniscient truth,
venture to give information even in regard to them. But is it not a
gain to learn how much we are capable of knowing, and where the ever
shrouded abysses lie? And the way along these--can you not imagine that
it would be as refreshing and full of enjoyment, as to wander amid
lofty mountains, among glaciers and ice fields, past ravines and
waterfalls that seem completely inaccessible?"

"Yes indeed," she replied, "if one is sure footed and not predisposed
to giddiness."

"The strength will increase on the way, if one is not a cripple when he
leaves home. And then in addition to the pleasure of looking around,
seeing the world, and drawing one's breath freely, do you know what
other benefit will be received?" She looked at him inquiringly.

"In order to climb up, we throw away much of the useless and
troublesome lumber we've dragged about in our shallow, thoughtless
existence, and when we have reached the heights and arrived so much
nearer to heaven and its stars, we learn to dispense with all this
trash and despise it. The atmosphere is rarefied, and earthly things,
viewed from the mountain tops, shrivel so incredibly that on coming
down, we see the dearest objects and most beloved friends with very
different eyes."

"By which they would hardly be the gainers. And then we should be more
unhappy than before."

"No," he answered with an expression of quiet joy, as he thought of
Balder, their boyhood, and all their struggling life in the bare tun.
"What is really good and true, little as it may be prized by fools,
appears for the first time in all its beauty, as allied to all the
noble things we have experienced and learned far above the plane of
every day life. You ought to make the attempt; I don't believe you
would regret it. Besides," he added smiling, "my alpenstock and
mountain shoes will always be at your service."

She looked earnestly into his face. "You think I don't see your aim.
You want to destroy or disgust me with what you call my vanity, but
which is really just as much a part of myself, as my brown hair, my
white teeth, and my dark eyes. Very well, we'll make the trial. Begin
the lesson at once; of course you must first tell me your thoughts