less independence of
thought generally conceded among Catholics only to practised
theologians. Yet the novice-master was well pleased with both, though
we shall see that his journey with Brother Hecker was for some time
in the dark.

When the Fourth of July came around he learned that it was the great
American holiday, and he called the three Americans to him and asked,
"How do you celebrate your national holiday at home?" "By shooting
off fire-crackers," they answered with a twinkle. This being out of
the question, and the grand military parade which was next suggested
also impracticable, Brothers Walworth and Hecker both exclaimed,
"Ginger-bread!" "Take all you want," was the answer, "and go off on a
long walk, and spend the day by yourselves." And of they went to
wander among the ruins of the outposts of the old Roman republic, and
make Fourth of July speeches in honor of the great new Republic
beyond the sea. Those who have been novices themselves will not be
surprised at the boyishness of these three manly characters under the
circumstances.

Isaac Hecker's spirit was not anywise cramped by the routine
exercises of the novitiate; he made them easily and well. He always
seemed to his companions what he actually was, and what he described
himself to be in his letters to New York, a cheerful and contented
novice. But, as one of them since expressed it, he was not a "dude"
novice, not the very pink of external perfection, and had a long
period of interior trial. He did not exhibit at any time the least
hesitancy about his vocation, for his mind was made up. Yet once,
when he took a walk with Brother Walworth to visit a house of
Recollects, Franciscans of the strict observance, both he and his
companion were greatly struck by that charming poverty which the poor
man of Assisi has bequeathed to his children; they did ask each other
whether they had not made a mistake. This question, however, was but
the expression of a shadowy doubt, vanishing as suddenly as it had
come.

The novice-master was Father Othmann, and he was by universal
testimony entirely competent for his place. He was himself the
novitiate. Its austerities, and they were not trifling, its long and
frequent prayer, its total seclusion from the world, all were refined
and adjusted to each one by passing through his soul and being
dispensed by his wisdom. Father Hecker regarded him as a very
remarkable man. He was a student of character, and wise and sag