didn't exist. I am
here, and you and I have no secrets from one another. Self-defense is a
nice thing, but--well I guess you understand me. Of course I have great
respect for you. You drove the cart well, and Tobias and I pushed at
the hind-wheels. The cart is out of the rut, and now we'll wash our
hands."

Landolin looked at his son as though another man were standing before
him. Peter noticed it, and continued:

"Yes, father, I've found out what the mainspring of the world is; and I
know that it's all one what a man does. He can do what he likes, if he
only keeps other people from knowing it. Am I right, or not?"

Landolin was so astonished that he could not utter a word. Who dare
speak to him in such a way? Can it be Peter! But something still worse
followed; for Peter began again:

"Now, see here, father; before we go home we'd better have matters
settled. You are the farmer; you are the master. And before the world
you may appear as you always have; but at home, in house and field,
only my word must be obeyed. You may be sure that you shall want for
nothing."

"Where is Tobias?" asked Landolin, gnashing his teeth.

"You needn't halloo so; I'm not deaf. I sent Tobias home before us; and
I might as well tell you at once, that I shall dismiss him soon. He
knows too much, and puts on too many airs. Moreover, I intend to send
away all of the servants. I'm going to lay a new foundation."

Landolin kept silent, but smiled. He was incensed at Peter's
impertinence, yet he could not repress his delight that his son had
become so fearless and resolute.

"I could almost be proud of you, you have changed so," he said, at
length. And Peter cried exultingly:

"That's right. You shall see that I'll do everything right; and that
I'll do the right thing by you. I find that we've been losing a big
pile of money in speculation, but that's past and done with, and I'll
say nothing more about it."

Landolin kept his wrath down, and thought: "Just wait till we get home,
then I'll talk to you differently."

Father and son spoke not a word after this. A wagon was waiting at the
depot in the city; and Landolin asked his wife, who with tears in her
eyes came to meet him: "Where is Thoma?" He was told that she would not
come.

Landolin thought to himself: "I am acquitted, but my children----. My
son wants to depose me, and my daughter will not even come to meet me."

In the meadow near the station was an unfinished platform,