e American Union
floating from its top.

"Who did that?" asked Sonnenkamp.

"I," Roland answered, with a joyous smile.

"What is it for?"

The boy's visage changed, and he cast a side-glance toward Eric.

Sonnenkamp screwed his under lip between his thumb and fore-finger into
a half-circle, and nodded silently.

Eric had noticed the boy's glance, and his heart beat for joy. He asked
the boy.

"Are you very proud of being an American?"

"Yes."

Eric was introduced to Fraeulein Perini as she came up to them; grasping
the mother-of-pearl cross with her left hand, she made a very
ceremonious courtesy. Frau Ceres requested her to go with her to the
house. Sonnenkamp, Eric, and Roland remained by themselves.

CHAPTER IV.

THE BUYER EXAMINES WHAT IS OFFERED.

"Give me your hand, Roland," said Eric. The boy gave it, looking up
trustingly and joyfully.

"My young friend," Eric added, "I thank you for that testimony of
respect waving yonder; but now leave us, for your father wishes to
speak with me."

Father and son looked in amazement at the man who was giving his orders
in such a free and easy manner. The boy departed, Eric nodding to him
again.

After the two men were left by themselves, for a while no word was
spoken. Herr Sonnenkamp, who always carried his cigars loose in his
pocket, offered Eric a large, black, broken one, which he accepted and
lighted from the match Sonnenkamp held out to him, without taking it
into his own hand.

After drawing a few whiffs, he said,--"You will certainly agree with
me, that it is an impolite politeness for any one to insist on taking
the lighted match into his own hand; between this giving and taking,
one generally burns his fingers."

However insignificant this remark, it served for a beginning. Herr
Sonnenkamp leaned back in his chair, held the cigar-smoke for a long
time in his mouth, and then blew it out in perfect rings, which, as
they floated in the air, grew larger and larger until they vanished.

"You have great influence over the boy," he said, after a while.

"I think that the attraction is mutual, and this makes me hope that I
might succeed as the boy's tutor. Only love can educate, as love only
can create and form. An artist who does not love his calling can never
truly create. There are, indeed, many who love a child because they
give him instruction; but I can instruct only one whom I love."