upon people, and then to get an
insight into their rascality; the second is, to play games of chance,
believing that one can make any gain thereby. Debts of beneficence and
debts of the gaming-table are not very willingly paid."

There was a certain fatherly tone in Sonnenkamp's voice, as he praised
Eric's transcendental benevolent intents, at the same time warning him
of the baseness of the whole brood of human creatures. His fundamental
maxim was, that man is a wolf to his fellow-man.

When Eric came to Roland, the latter stretched out both his hands to
him.

"I thank you," cried the boy, "for treating me as my father treated
you; yes, I will have nothing more to do with money. I beseech you,
forgive my father for paying you like a servant."

Eric had great difficulty in making an explanation to the boy, so as
not to disturb and bewilder his natural feelings and perceptions. The
son must preserve love and respect for his father.

"Put away the gold," Roland entreated. Eric immediately put it away out
of sight, for he saw how it annoyed the youth.

"Give me something," he then besought,

"I have nothing to give," answered Eric. "But you will know henceforth,
that one human being can give something to another which is of more
value than all the gold in the world; we will both hold fast the
proverb: A friend who can desert you was never your friend."

Roland kissed the hand which had received the gold. Eric was opposed to
all sentimentality, but here he had witnessed the opening of a flower,
and had inhaled its earliest fragrance, and this flower was a youth's
heart.

"We will go and see the Major," said Roland at last; it was evident
that he wanted to be with some person who had nothing to do with all
this perplexity, and simply lived his own quiet life.

They went to the Major's, but did not find him in. They walked for a
long time together, until after dark, without speaking a word.

Sonnenkamp also walked about the park in the silent night, inwardly
chafing at the thought that there was always something to conceal, for
a single expression of Eric's that day had awakened a powerful struggle
within him. That expression was, free labor. And then he began to
wonder how it had happened that he had allowed himself to do anything
to wound Eric, while it was still his intention to send for his mother.
It produced a thrill of satisfaction in him, when he thought how
infinitely charitable people would consider tha