d have it so. What
fault is it of mine that I buy the property? I but redeem my money."

"Cursed be every dollar that you have laid out thus! Cursed be the day
that this unblessed purpose entered your mind!" continued Bernhard, and
he raised his hand threateningly against his father.

"What is this!" cried Ehrenthal, springing up; "what evil thoughts have
taken hold of my son's heart, that he should thus speak to his father?
What I have done, have I not done it for thee, not for myself--not for
my old days? I always thought of thee, and of how thou shouldst be a
different man to thy father. I should have the labor and the anxiety,
and thou shouldst go from the castle to the garden, book in hand, and
back to the castle again, and move to and fro as thou wouldst. The
bailiff should take off his cap, and the servants their hats, and they
should all say, 'That is our young master, he who walks yonder.'"

"Yes," cried Bernhard, "this is your love: you want to make me partaker
in an unrighteous deed. You are mistaken, father. Never will I go out of
the castle into the garden, book in hand; rather will I, a poor beggar,
beg my bread on the public road, than set my foot on an estate that has
been gained by sin."

"Bernhard," cried the old man, wringing his hands in his turn, "thou
castest a stone on thy father's heart, and its weight sinks him to the
earth."

"And you ruin your son," cried Bernhard, in uncontrolled passion. "See
to it for whom you are lying and cheating; for, as sure as there is a
heaven above us, it shall never be said that you have done it for your
unhappy son."

"My son," wailed the father, "do not smite my heart with your curses.
Ever since you were a little lad, carrying your satchel to school, you
have been all my pride. I have always allowed you to do your own
pleasure. I have bought you books. I have given you more money than you
required. I have watched your eyes to read your wishes there. While I
was toiling hard all day below, I used to think, 'Because of my pains,
my son will rejoice.'" He took the corner of his dressing-gown to wipe
his eyes, and tried to recover his composure. And so he sat, a
broken-down man, face to face with his son.

Bernhard looked silently at his father's bent head. At last he reached
out his hand. "My father!" he gently said.

Ehrenthal instantly seized the proffered hand between his, and holding
it fast for fear it should be again withdrawn, he came nearer, kissed