ilent yet eloquent interpreter between them.

"He likes you too!" Roland cried out in childish delight.

These were the only words spoken by the boy. Suddenly springing up, he
threw himself upon Eric's breast, where he was held in a firm embrace;
the dog barked as if he must express himself.

"We will be true to each other," Eric exclaimed, unclasping his arms;
"I had a brother of your age, and you are to be my younger brother."

Roland, without speaking, held Eric's right hand between both of his.

"Now let us at once begin our life, fresh and bright."

"Yes," replied Roland, "we'll make Devil fetch something out of the
water; he does it splendidly."

"No, my dear brother, we will go to work. Let us see what you have
learned."

Eric had noticed particularly, that Roland, who was deficient in every
other branch of knowledge, had a pretty good acquaintance with
geography. He tested him in this, and Roland was highly pleased to be
able to give him accurate answers. They gradually passed to the
consideration of other studies, and then Roland appeared confused, and
for Latin he had a hatred amounting to a personal hostility.

"We will quietly study what is necessary," Eric said consolingly, "and
then we will ride, drive, shoot, fish, and row."

This prospect cheered the boy very much, and when the clock struck in
the tower, he suddenly observed,--

"In one hour Herr von Pranken will be with Manna. I can learn to ride,
fence, and shoot, as well as Herr von Pranken, don't you think I can?"

"Certainly you can."

"I sent a letter, too, to Manna by Herr von Pranken."

"What language did you write it in?"

"English, of course. Ah! it just occurs to me,--all speak so highly of
your mother, let your mother come too; she might live out therein our
small, vine-covered house."

The boy could say no more, for Eric lifted him up, pressed him to his
breast, and kissed him. The boy had uttered what at first sight had
flashed through his own soul, and now it was evident that he bestowed
gladly, loved to confer benefits, and to contrive pleasure for others;
his hard-heartedness towards the dwarf disappeared as a mere
superficial blemish.

A servant came and announced that dinner was served. Holding each other
by the hand, Roland and Eric went to the dining-room.

CHAPTER XIV.

A RIVAL.

The dinner was as ceremonious as it had been the day before.