d? You have seen so much," he added with
a look of elation, "that you would not seek to change me and my family,
if you should undertake the education of my son."

This last remark dissipated, to a certain extent, the deep impression
which Sonnenkamp had made upon Eric. The whole appeared a premeditated
affair.

A servant came to inform Herr Sonnenkamp that Herr von Pranken wished
to take leave of him.

CHAPTER XIII.

DEVIL GETTING WONTED.

Pranken's horse stood saddled in the court, and Pranken himself was
walking up and down, snapping his riding-whip. In exceedingly good
spirits, and in a very amiable mood, he hastened to meet Sonnenkamp,
saying that he must take leave of him. There was a tone of bantering
politeness in their manner towards each other. When Sonnenkamp remarked
that Pranken was always surprising one, never saying that he was going
away until the very moment of starting, Pranken answered, with mock
modesty, that he was sure that he must in that way meet the approval of
his friend Sonnenkamp, for nothing was more disagreeable, and made life
more insipid and dull, than a constant talking over and discussion and
cooking up of plans; he shot the hare, and left it to be dressed by the
artists of the kitchen.

Pranken said all that with his usual rattling manner, as he twisted the
end of his light moustache. He took a cool leave of Eric, saying that
he hoped to find him still there on his return from a short journey.

"Should you, however, leave before I come back, have the kindness to
present my respects to the gracious--" he paused a moment, then added,
"to the Professor's lady, your mother."

He had taken off his glove when he said good-bye to Sonnenkamp, but
drew it on again before he held out his hand to Eric, and it was
evident that he did so intentionally. This coldness was rather
agreeable to Eric; a part of his debt of gratitude was removed as
Pranken treated him more distantly, and they could perhaps be more
harmonious and independent when they were thrown together.

Pranken called Sonnenkamp aside, and said, though he certainly
had recommended the young scholar--haughtily emphasizing this
expression--he would beg him not to conclude any hasty engagement
without making a strict examination himself.

"Herr Baron," replied Sonnenkamp, "I am a merchant--" he made a
watchful pause before continuing,--"and I know what recommendatio