s, and
of the grouping of trees and shrubs.

They stood a long time before a group where the gloomy cedar was placed
near the hardy fir, and the gentle morning breeze whispered in the
foliage of the silver poplar, and caused the white leaves to glisten
like little rippling waves upon the surface of a lake.

Near a little pond with a fountain was a bower of roses, upon a gentle
elevation, patterned according to a dream of Frau Ceres; and here
Sonnenkamp remained stationary, saying:

"That was at the time when I was still very happy here in our
settlement, and when everything was still in a sound and healthy
condition."

Eric stopped, questioning whether he ought to tell Herr Sonnenkamp of
yesterday's strange occurrence. Sonnenkamp said, accompanying his words
with peculiar little puffs, as if he were lightly and carefully blowing
a fire,--

"My wife often has strange whims; but if she is not contradicted she
soon forgets them."

He appeared suddenly to remember that it was not necessary to say this,
and added with unusual haste,--

"Now come, and I will show you my special vanity. But let me ask you
one thing; does it not seem dreadful to you, who are a philosopher,
that we must leave all this, that we know we must die; and while
everything around continues to grow green and bloom, he who planted and
acquired the means to plant is here no more, but moulders in the dust?"

"I should not have believed that you indulged in such thoughts."

"You are right to answer so. You must not ask such questions, for no
one knows their answer," said Sonnenkamp sharply and bitterly; "but one
thing more. I wish Roland to understand rightly this creation of mine
and to carry it on, for such a garden is not like a piece of sculpture,
or any finished work of an artist; it is growing, and must be
constantly renewed. And why should there not be granted us the
certainty of transmitting to our posterity what we have conquered,
created, or fashioned, without fear that strangers will at some time
enter into possession and let all go to waste?"

"You believe," answered Eric, "that I know no answer to the first of
your questions, and I must confess, that I do not quite understand the
second."

"Well, well, perhaps we will talk of it again--perhaps not," Sonnenkamp
broke off. "But come now and let me show you my special pride."

CHAPTER XI.

SONNENKAMP'S PRIDE.

They s