ot jest about such things; but he said nothing.

Sonnenkamp was very free in declaring, that although he paid taxes in
this country, he should not vote; that he was cosmopolitan, and
considered himself and his family to be only guests in Germany.

Eric's glance and that of the doctor met, and both looked towards
Roland. What can be expected of a boy, to whom it is said. The State in
which you live is of no account to you at all?

The physician, having begun to make a butt of the Major, kept it up
incessantly. Known and liked as a jovial person, the physician was,
early in the day, in the hilarious mood of one who has just risen from
a well-spread table, and his very lively tone contrasted strangely with
the heavy delivery of the Major, who very willingly allowed himself to
be made the object of jesting. It seemed to him to be a man's duty to
minister, even passively, to his fellow-men; and his features always
said, My children, make yourselves merry, even if it is about me.

The priest, in the meanwhile, took the part of the persecuted Major,
but it was hard to tell whether it was not for the sake of keeping up
the raillery, for the Major smiled in a yet more puzzled way at his
advocate, than at his assailant. The priest always began in a sort of
narrative way, and as he went on, shot his well-aimed shafts on all
sides, preserving at the same time his polished and obliging manners,
and never losing sight, for a moment, of the respect due to his
spiritual calling; and he had, in particular, certain tranquillizing
motions with his handsome, delicate hands. The eyes of Fraeulein Perini
seemed to expand, more and more, and to feast in gazing, as she looked
at the ecclesiastic, and listened to him with her eyes. Only she could
not repress her discomfort, when the priest, after the fashion of the
snuff-taking clergy, rolled up his blue linen pocket-handkerchief into
a ball, and, in the full flow of discourse, tossed it from one hand to
the other. She breathed more freely when he put the horrible blue
handkerchief into his pocket.

Fraeulein Perini maintained a tranquil imperturbability towards the
rough and excitable temperament of the physician, while he regarded her
as a sort of colleague; and it was really the case, that she had some
medical knowledge. He had a particular respect for her, inasmuch as she
had never consulted him in regard to any ailment. She lived very
temperately, indulged sparingly in the luxurious en