a sum large enough to
support a moderate family. As he sat there dreaming and unconscious,
holding the envelope between his two hands, and deaf to the song of the
birds in the trees and shrubs about him, his name was suddenly called,
and the servant Joseph handed him a letter from Professor Einsiedel,
congratulating him upon the anniversary, and admonishing him to earn
money enough to enable him to lead an independent life, wholly devoted
to pure science. The Professor repeated his wish, that there might be
some place of retreat established for the reception of men of science
in their old age.

Greatly comforted, Eric returned to the company in the drawing-room,
who had scarcely missed him.

"That is the way with these idealists, these reformers, these priests
of humanity," said Pranken to Sonnenkamp. "See how the Doctor looks as
if he had got wings! Yes, that is the way with them. They despise
money, till they have it themselves."

Pranken had observed aright. Eric did in truth feel himself endowed
with a new power, but also the thought arose in him: Now you too are
rich, and can care for others besides yourself. Observing, presently,
that he was keeping his hand upon the breast-pocket which contained the
money, he drew it away as if it had been upon coals.

CHAPTER XV.

A FEAST WITH UNEXPECTED DISHES.

The Major and Roland set out upon the performance of a most pleasant
office. They had the pony harnessed to the little wagon, in which all
the packages were put, and drove through the hamlets, stopping at the
various houses, and personally distributing the gifts. First of all
they drove to Claus's, in whom the last winter had worked a great
change. After the first expressions of sympathy had been received from
his neighbors, and he had once washed down all thought and care with a
good drink, he took to mitigating his troubles by the all-obliterating
wine, or by brandy, if he could get no better. His wife and children
were in despair at this change in him, and once the family came to hard
words, the Cooper having heard that his father had been begging of a
stranger from the other side of the mountains, and complaining of
having been ruined by a rich man.

The Gauger and the Burgomaster were amused with Claus's complaints and
fierce invectives, his jokes and wise sayings, and supplied him with
liquor.

When Roland and the Major arrived at this man's house