greater things, and yet they did not give way: I
would at least do no worse. I was able to grasp it all with my child's
mind, the fact that we, who had merely copied for money, could not be
severely punished. Probably we never understood what might be in those
writings lying before us. We merely piled up letter after letter. But
the gravest danger threatened those who had brought those original
writings before us.

Twenty-two of the students of the college were called up for trial.

On that day armed soldiers guarded the streets that led to the
council-chamber, because the rumor ran that the young members of
parliament wished to free the culprits.

On the day in question there were no lessons--merely the accused and
their judges were present in the school building.

It is curious that I did not fear, even when under the surveillance of
the pedellus,[43] I had to wait in the ante-room of the school tribunal.
And I knew well what was threatening. They would exclude either me or
Lorand from the school.

[Footnote 43: Warden of the school.]

That idea was terrible for me.

I had heard thrilling stories of expelled students. How, at such times,
they rang that cracked bell, which was used only to proclaim, to the
whole town, that an expelled student was being escorted by his fellows
out of the town, with songs of penitence. How the poor student became
thenceforth a wanderer his whole lifetime through, whom no school would
receive, who dared not return to his father's house. Now I merely
shrugged my shoulders when I thought of it.

At other times the least rebuke would break my spirit, and drive me to
despair; now--I was resolved not even to ask for pardon. As I waited in
the ante-room, I met the professors, one after another, as they passed
through into the council-chamber. Fittingly I greeted them. Some of them
did not so much as look at me. As Mr. Schmuck passed by he saw me, came
forward, and very tenderly addressed me:--

"Well, my child, and you have come here too. Don't be afraid: only look
at me always. I shall do all I can for you, as I promised to your dear,
good grandmother. Oh how your devoted grandmother would weep if she knew
in what a position you now stand. Well, well, don't cry: don't be
afraid. I intend to treat you as if you were my own child: only look at
me always."

I was glad when he went away. I was angry that he wished to soften me. I
must be strong to-day.

The director also noticed me,