ith the whole corps of servants, male and
female, as well as Roland and Eric, were going to the mineral baths of
Vichy, and from there to the sea-baths at Biarritz.

Eric composed himself with great effort; the struggle had come sooner
than he anticipated, and he said that he did not know what Roland
thought about it, but that, for his own part, he had made up his mind,
that he could not take the journey to the Baths.

"You cannot go with us? Why not?"

"It is unpleasant to me to make this declaration in Roland's presence,
but I think that he is sufficiently mature to comprehend this matter. I
think, I am firmly convinced, that a serious course of study cannot be
resumed at a fashionable watering-place, and then continued at
Biarritz. I cannot begin the instruction after my pupil has been
hearing, in the morning, all kinds of music at the fountains. No human
being can be confined there to earnest and fixed thought. As I said, I
consider Roland mature enough to decide for himself. I will remain here
at the villa, if you desire it, until your return."

Sonnenkamp looked at Eric in astonishment, and Roland, supplicatingly.
Sonnenkamp did not appear to rely upon his self-command sufficiently to
meet the family tutor in the requisite manner, and he therefore said in
a careless tone that the matter could be discussed in the evening. In a
half-contemptuous manner, he begged pardon for not having informed Eric
of his plans for the summer at the University-town.

Eric now sat alone with Roland, who, in silence, looked down at the
floor. Eric let him alone for awhile, saying to himself. Now is the
critical time, now is the trial to be made.

"Do you understand the reasons," he at length asked, "why I cannot and
will not continue our life of study, this life that we pursue together,
in a place of amusement?"

"I do not understand them," said the boy, perversely.

"Shall I explain them?"

"It is not necessary," replied the boy, sullenly.

Eric said nothing, and the silence enabled the boy to realize how he
was behaving; but there was something in the soul of the youth that
rebelled against anything like subjection. Taking up a different topic,
Roland asked:--

"Have I not been diligent and obedient?"

"As it is proper that you should be."

"Do I not deserve now some amusement?"

"No. The performance of duty is not paid for, and certainly not by
amusement."

Again there was a long silence, the boy turning up and d