ly."

"The baron's good-will is perfectly immaterial to me," said the inflated
tenant. "But, since you speak of authority, perhaps you will show me
your credentials."

"Here they are," said Anton, quietly drawing the document in question
from his pocket.

The tenant read it carefully through, or at least pretended to do so,
and rudely replied, "I am not very sure, after all, whether you have a
right to look over my premises, but I have no objection to it; so go and
inspect as much as you like." And, putting on his cap, he turned to
leave the room, but Anton at once barred the way, and said, in his
quiet, business voice, "I give you the choice of conducting me over your
premises at once, or having an inventory drawn out by a lawyer. This
last measure will occasion you unnecessary expense. I would besides
remind you that the good-will of the proprietor is necessary to every
tenant who wishes for an extension of his lease, and that yours will be
out in two years' time. It is no pleasure to me to spend two hours in
your society; but if you do not fulfill your contract, the baron will of
course take advantage of it to break your lease. I give you your
choice."

The tenant looked for a few minutes with a stupefied expression at
Anton's resolute countenance, and at last said, "If you insist upon it,
of course. I did not mean to offend." He then reluctantly touched his
hat, and led the way into the court-yard.

Anton took out his tablets once more, and the survey began. 1.
Dwelling-house: the roof out of order. 2. Cow-house: one side of the
lower wall fallen; and so on. The survey was, on the whole,
unsatisfactory; but Anton's business-like demeanor and Karl's martial
aspect were not without their influence over the tenant, who gradually
relaxed, and muttered out a few excuses.

When Anton got into the carriage again, he said to him, "I give you four
weeks to rectify what we have found amiss, and at the end of that time I
shall call again."

To which Karl added, "Will you have the kindness to raise your hat as
you now see me do? This is the right moment for the ceremony. That's it!
You will learn the proper thing in time. Drive on, coachman."

"When you return," continued Karl to Anton, "this man will be as
obsequious as possible. He has grown bumptious on the farm."

"And the estate has grown the poorer because of him," said Anton. "Now,
then, for the new farm!"

A poor dwelling-house on one side, a long row of sh