years.'"

"It was as if a flash of lightning had struck me to the earth. I
repressed my feelings, however; indeed no one ever did know at any time
what was really passing within me.

"I went to my room, and, late at night, out into the village, where
a hundred things renewed my home feelings. I went to my parents'
house--all was still there. I half resolved to leave the place again
before day dawned. What could I do here? and no one had known me. But I
did not go for all that.

"Soon people came from all quarters, holding out their hands in the
hope that I would enrich them. But here, Doctor, one day, when I had
nothing better to do, I fed the sparrows on my window sill; and after
that, the importunate beggars came, as if possessed of an evil spirit,
every morning to the same spot; and the noise they made drove me nearly
distracted, but I could no longer succeed in driving them away. It is
easy to encourage others, but not so easy to get rid of them. I gave up
asking after any one, for whenever I inquired I heard of nothing but
misfortunes and death. Those whom I met, I was happy to see--those whom
I did not meet, I made no mention of. All came crowding to see me,
except my sister-in-law and her young prince. My sister-in-law said:
'My brother-in-law knows where his parents' house stands--we shall not
run after him.' The first time I saw young Lenz I was not at all taken
with him, for he had no look of our family, but was the image of his
mother. Now when I looked round the village, and the whole country, I
could have torn out my grey hairs at ever having come home. Everything
seemed stunted, and dwarfed, and gone to ruin. And where are the old
jolly times--the old spirit and fan? All gone! The young people were a
worthless set. Was I not obliged to pull the unripe cherries from the
trees in my avenue that their young stems might not be destroyed? My
singing nephew was always sitting at home, while I had seen the world.
Nothing hurt me; but every rough breeze or rough word hurt him,
and made him ill. Once only I had a better opinion of him, and
thought--He will yet brighten your life.' If he had married your
daughter Amanda, I would either have gone to live with the young
people, or they might have lived with me. My property would have come
into your family; and that I should have liked, for to your father I
owe the foundation of my prosperity--if it be prosperity. That
confounded Pilgrim guessed my thoughts, and wis