as no trifling matter for Eric, the first time in his life, to present
himself as a petitioner, yes,--he tormented himself with the word,--as
a beggar.

Eric now spoke directly of his journey. His mother heard him through
quietly, except that when Bella was mentioned, she said,--"Bella
Pranken is a woman who cannot be counted on."

The old plans were discussed anew. Eric wanted to establish an
educational institution, and his mother and aunt were strongly inclined
to this, as they had many connections with the best families of the
country; but they were not agreed whether they should have an
institution for girls or for boys. Eric was in favor of the latter, as
he could have more direct relations with that; but his mother wanted
him to make a scientific journey for several years, so as to acquire a
reputation at once by means of some great work, and not creep on in the
plodding path. She and the aunt would, in the meanwhile, earn so much
at the capital that Eric could live free from care.

They came to the conclusion to make no positive decision until Herr
Sonnenkamp's letter should be received. The mother said that it would
be the fulfilment of one of her ideals of life to take possession of
the vine-covered little house; and she entertained a sanguine hope of
attaining some influence over the lad surrounded by the dangers of
riches; she should be glad to do so, as he was just the age of the son
she had lost.

Eric visited his old teacher and friend, Professor Einsiedel, who was
his chief instructor. He was a high-priest of science, a man who,
engaged continually and exclusively in the region of pure thought, and
in investigations for the extension of the sphere of knowledge, lived
entirely alone, regular, methodical, systematic, free from all
excitement, eating and drinking an incredibly small quantity, but
always attracted by new developments of truth, always open-eyed to look
into the widespreading realm of thought.

Professor Einsiedel had been a friend of Eric's father, and he always
lamented that he, who was continually striving after the best and the
perfect, had not accomplished the good, which is necessarily
incomplete. His axiom was, that we must be contented with having made
some small, individual contribution, and that this extends to become a
part of the great whole. We never accomplish anything that gives us
perfect satisfaction, and to which we have nothing more to add. Only of
the Creator can it b