ld not comprehend how
everything should appear so changed, illuminated so brightly; he had
been alone with himself, and had gained possession of himself in
solitude.

Eric had made no definite agreement about his salary, and Sonnenkamp
said to the Major, smiling:--

"These enthusiastic Idealists have a concealed policy. The man does as
people do when they are invited to dinner; they let themselves be
served by the host and hostess with some nice dish, and so receive a
larger stare than they would have helped themselves to."

Eric had only made one demand, that he should inhabit with Roland the
house-turret, remote from all noise, and furnishing an extensive
prospect. This was granted, and Eric felt himself strangely free in
these handsome, spacious rooms, with their outlook upon the river and
the landscape.

How confined is one's life in those small, close apartments of the
University-town, and yet how far the spirit can extend itself beyond
that narrow enclosure! And these carpets, this elegant furniture, how
soon will it become an ordinary thing, forgotten and unconsidered, like
the wide view of the landscape! It seemed to Eric as free, as
inspiring, and as commanding, as if--he himself laughed when the
comparison came into his mind--as if he were living on horseback. We
can go very comfortably over hill and vale with a light walking-staff,
but to sit on horseback, and course away, with a double, triple
strength united to our own, and elevating us above the ordinary level,
this is a rare exhilaration.

Roland came to Eric, and he expressed to the boy his joy at the
beautiful and peaceful life they would live here; but Roland begged:--

"Give me something to do, something right hard; try and think of
something."

Eric perceived the boy's state of excitement; sitting down near him, he
took his hand, and showed him that life seldom furnished a single deed
on which one could employ the whole strength of his voluntary powers;
they would work quietly and steadily, and make each other wiser and
better. The boy was contented, and looked at Eric as if he would, with
his eyes, draw him into his soul, and make him his own. Then he lightly
touched Eric's shoulder, as if to be newly assured that he was really
with him.

Now they put things in order, and Roland was glad to render all kinds
of assistance. In spite of his former deliberation, Eric had entered
upon the new relation so unexpectedly, and plunged into it so su