a Philistine tyranny,
a compulsory virtue. Common natures return payment by what they do,
noble ones by what they are. Thus it is, if a noble being exists, and
freely acts out his nature, he adorns humanity and benefits it. I have
tried to guard in Roland a simple unconsciousness of wealth; we are not
placed here merely to train ourselves to be brothers of mercy. Not
every one need serve; to perfect one's self is a noble calling. I
respect Cicero's maxim: 'He who does nothing is the free man.' The free
man is the idler."

Eric disputed this, and Knopf was no little surprised, that Eric had
the exact passage from Cicero in his memory, and could prove that
Cicero only made the assertion that no man was free who was not
sometimes idle: _non aliquando nihil agit._ He said besides that the
statement of the German poet, that there could be a noble life without
activity, without labor, was still more an error. He tried, however, to
put an end to these general considerations. What effect could their
thoughts and discussions, as they sat there on the hill-side, bring
about concerning the vocation of humanity?

Knopf remarked assentingly that he had wandered too far, and said,--

"You ought to take Roland away from here."

"It would certainly be best, but you must know that it cannot be
brought about."

"Yes, yes. I have tormented myself much with the idea whether there is
any possibility of making Roland imagine himself poor, but, if a
negation is logically susceptible of the comparative degree, that is
still more impossible. I have read Jean Jacques Rousseau's _Emile_, and
have found much that is good in it; I have also studied the treatise on
Riches which is ascribed to Plato; and in Aristophanes there is to be
found deep insight into poverty and wealth. If you will sometime come
to Mattenheim, I will show them all to you."

Eric made some slight inquiries as to the causes which had removed
Knopf from the family, but Knopf did not tell him; he only gave him to
understand that Roland had been led astray by the French valet Armand,
who had since been dismissed from the house. With unusual haste, he
then left the subject, and said that he had hesitated about coming to
Eric, but Herr Weidmann had read the wish in his face, and had
encouraged him in it.

Eric promised soon to go to Mattenheim. Knopf was very happy to hear of
Roland's industry and obedience, and Eric told him how from the life of
Franklin he was giving him