s of her heart, the very next moment, she
tried to talk to him and cheer him, and that annoyed him. For it showed
that the past was still in her thoughts; and that he did not like. She
took special pains with his supper, and said: "Eat heartily, now that
you are at home again."

"It does no good to wish that," he replied, "if it doesn't taste good
of itself."

He waited and waited for a kind word from Thoma, but her strict and
cruel truthfulness forbade her to give him one. She was dissatisfied
that her father, in his weariness, and the humility which he had gained
by a violent effort, should be so indulgent with Peter. Day after day
she saw him taking upon himself the sole control of affairs, and her
father permitting it. Yes, he even worked like a servant, and seemed to
take satisfaction in being tyrannized over by his son. Everything was
transformed and changed.

CHAPTER XLIV.

The determined, steadfast Landolin had become a coward. He despised
himself for it, but that did not mend matters. His lips were always
tightly compressed, and their bitter expression became habitual. Often
he would stop suddenly while walking along. He felt that he must draw
his breath: he was almost smothered by the thoughts that lay so heavy
upon him. Then he looked around beseechingly, and went on his way. How
rich he had been before! He had had an outstanding capital of honor
with every one; and now, when he wanted to draw upon it, it was no
longer there. Strictly speaking, he had thought neither well nor ill of
other people, he was indifferent to them; but now things had changed.
His power of thought had lain fallow; and now upon this fallow land all
manner of weeds, whose seeds had lain unsuspected in the ground, made
their appearance. He had lived and had had an acute mind, especially
when an advantage for himself was to be gained. But now, it seemed as
though he were half asleep. Stop! What are men to you? What do you care
for this one and that one? What does one gain in life, after all?
Plowing, sowing, and reaping. The forest trees grow, long after the man
who planted them has become a clod of earth. Is it for this that a man
gives himself so much trouble and thought? Yes--gives thought. That is
what is hard for a man who, until now, has not had it to do.

When the soul comes to a spot where harshness, and selfishness pass
step by step before its eyes, then it is difficult for it to turn bac