ed by herself and Fraeulein
Milch, which he very readily assented to, especially that part relating
to the furnishing of sewing machines. Besides being an American
"institution," this would create a good deal of talk. He made a trip to
the capital himself, and bought the machines.

He took great pleasure in hearing the widow speak of the satisfaction
she derived from having the ability to do so much good, formerly
through the Princess, and now through Herr Sonnenkamp.

"How does it happen," he inquired of her, "that the poor, or the
comparatively poor, are united together so much more closely than the
rich?"

"I have never reflected upon the matter," she replied with an
embarrassed smile, "but if I should now express an opinion upon it, I
should say, that the rich man clings to his property, and is obliged to
think of himself; he can't do otherwise. He is not permitted to survey
the lot of others; his soul, his eye, if I may use the expression, does
not have, the beseeching glance of him who sits forlorn by the wayside.
But the poor man is hoping, waiting; he has nothing but a bundle in his
hands, or probably nothing but his empty hands; he is independent of
others, and dependent on them too."

Sonnenkamp was very eloquent in praise of this considerate, indulgent
view, as he termed it; and the Professorin was delighted with the
polite manner and the delicacy of this man, apparently so bad and
selfish.

"Perhaps," she continued, blushing deeply, "perhaps we might take an
illustration from the animal world."

"In what way?"

She was silent, and only replied after Sonnenkamp had repeated the
question:--

"I will give you my thought, crude as it is. I was thinking of the
beasts of prey who live singly; and wolves only herd together when
there is some common booty to be got, the rest of the time, each living
by himself. The herbivorous animals, on the contrary, live together in
herds, and afford a common protection."

She interrupted herself smiling, and then continued:--

"My wisdom is of yesterday, and it is not worth very much. The
field-guard, Claus, told me that, in autumn, the birds which feed upon
grain assemble in flocks, but those which live upon insects do not."

Sonnenkamp was very amiable. The Professorin added in continuation:--

"But yet the granivorous birds are no more virtuous than the
insectivorous; each kind lives in accordance with its own law."

Sonnenkamp became more and more charmed wi