you must also marry, for the apostle Paul
says, 'Whoever careth for the things that are of the world ought to
marry.'" He requested him to write more particularly concerning
Clodwig's antiquities, then shook him by the hand. Roland also extended
his hand to the professor.

Eric looked after the little man going away, who was in his eyes a
walking temple of the spirit of wisdom; and the good little man rubbed
his tender hand on his coat, for Roland had pressed it a little too
hard.

The train came thundering in. The leave-taking was hurried. Roland
kissed repeatedly the mother and aunt, and Sonnenkamp kissed the
mother's hand.

His mother said in a low tone to Eric on taking leave,--

"You are forsaking me. I am at rest, I know you are not forsaking
yourself, and so you are still with me. Go, then; hold thyself within
thyself, and me in thee, and it will be well with thee, and well with
me."

In the railway-car the Major bent towards Eric and whispered,--

"I have learned something about your father."

"What is it?"

"Something good for you and for me. Your father, who has gone to the
eternal home, belonged to our brotherhood. It is your right to claim
assistance, and my duty to give it. I only beg that you will never
thank me; we are not allowed to thank one another."

At the first station the Major took Eric aside, and asked him whether
he had made a positive agreement as to salary, indemnification at
dismissal, and pension after the completion of the tutorship. Eric
treated the subject with indifference, and the Major gave him to
understand that he had full power to grant all his demands. He advised
Eric to strike now while the iron was hot. But Eric not seeming at all
disposed to take up with the advice, the Major desisted, murmuring to
himself,--

"Here now, Fraeulein Milch is always saying that I am not practical; and
here now is a man who is so learned, and can turn himself round and
face about seven times before I can get up on my feet, and he is ever
so much less practical than I am." The Major was almost delighted that
Eric was so unpractical; he could tell Fraeulein Milch all about it.

On the way the diamond ring was redeemed, and Eric said to Roland,--

"Let your father take the ring; I would prefer that you would not wear
a ring for the future."

Roland gave the ring to his father, and the Major said, humming to
himself,--

"He has him! He has him by bit and curb."

It was evening when