e toil, they,
are to have also the higher joys as a possession, which belong alone to
us."

"There is no royal road to geometry, is Euclid's saying," Eric
interposed; "science and knowledge are acquired only through labor, and
what I want to do with this boy can all be comprehended in one word: I
want to give him self-activity."

"Just so," replied the physician; "yes, that's it! we who live to the
spirit have the advantage over the rich in this respect, that we are
alone by ourselves; the rich man does not know the silent growth in the
dewy stillness of solitude; he always has so much, he never has
himself, and never himself alone. This is what I understand by that
verse of the Bible, 'What shall it profit thee, if thou shalt gain the
whole world, and lose thine own soul? That is to say, Art never alone
in thyself, with thyself? He who has nowhere to lay his head, he can
yet carry his head high and free. You see it was to some purpose that I
studied theology for two years, until I came to see that though much
cannot be effected, yet more is to be done by practising quackery on
the body, than on the soul."

The doctor could not speak, he laughed so heartily. At last he said,--

"The great question always is, how receptivity itself confers upon one
all that is desirable. That would be your principal task, to awaken and
to perfect in Roland his power of receptivity. He must first of all, be
taught in a regular way. In what he knows of the world, he is yet a
child, and in what he desires of the world, he is a man, one may say a
live man."

Eric had much to say in reply, but he smiled to himself, for he thought
how easy it is to theorize. The doctor had justly found fault with him
for enlarging upon so many topics, and now he was to perceive that he
could be silent. He said nothing, and the doctor continued:--

"As to the rest, I can tender you effectual aid, if you conclude to
accept the position. Pity that you are not a medical man; as I look at
it, no one but a physician should be an educator. Have you taken notice
that the young fellow has a poor digestion? a young man in these times
ought to be able to digest pebble-stones! I cannot bring it about that
only simple kinds of food should be given him. The noble and the rich
eat without hunger, and drink without thirst. This young man can have
everything but one real, substantial enjoyment. It is a small matter,
but take it just for an example: Roland receives no en