is that I feel myself
an accomplice in the upsetting of the company by this indiscreet young
man; and sure enough: I too, upon whose province he has encroached,
catch glances of mockery and scepticism. But the second fact is that my
opinion of this man, for whose whole being I had just felt the most
honest respect, suddenly falls, falls, falls ... A compassionate
benevolence seizes me. With other courageous and good-natured gentlemen
I step up to him and encourage him. 'Congratulations,' I say, 'what a
delightful talent! Really, that was most charming.' And I am not far
from clapping him on the shoulder. But is benevolence the feeling that
one should have toward a lieutenant? ... His own fault! There he stood
and in great embarrassment atoned for the erroneous idea that one may
pluck a leaf, just one, from the bay-tree of art, without paying for it
with one's life. No, there I agree with my colleague, the criminal
banker. But tell me, Lisaveta, don't you think I am endowed with the
eloquence of a Hamlet today?"

"Are you through now, Tonio Kroeger?"

"No. But I will say no more."

"Nor do you need to.--Do you expect an answer?"

"Have you any?"

"I should think I had.--I have listened closely to you, Tonio, from
beginning to end, and I will give you the answer which fits everything
you have said this afternoon, and which is the solution of the problem
that has disquieted you so. Well, then! The solution is this, that you,
just as you sit there, are simply an ordinary man."

"Am I?" he asked, collapsing a little.

"That is a cruel blow, isn't it? It must be. And therefore I will
soften my sentence a little, for I can do so. You are an ordinary man
astray, Tonio Kroeger,--an erring commoner."

--Silence. Then he stood up resolutely and reached for hat and cane.

"I thank you, Lisaveta Ivanovna; now I can go home in peace. _I am
finished._"

V

Toward autumn Tonio Kroeger said to Lisaveta Ivanovna,

"Yes, I am going away now, Lisaveta; I must take an airing, and I am
going off, going to take to the open."

"Well, how is it, Little Father, will it be your royal pleasure to
return to Italy?"

"Good gracious, go on with your Italy, Lisaveta! Italy is indifferent
to me to the point of contempt. It is a long time since I imagined I
belonged there. Art, eh? Velvety blue sky, fiery wine, and sweet
sensuality ... In short, I don't like it. I resign. The whole
_bellezza_ makes me