just fitted to be
friends; for Fraeulein Sonnenkamp has also a maturity of mind far beyond
her years."

The young widow was very gracious to Manna, and Pranken left them by
themselves, for he had a great deal to attend to as son of the house.

He had given orders to the cook to have in readiness an ample provision
of roast meats and common wines, and he had looked out also for the
cigars. Sonnenkamp knew everything that was going on, but pretended to
see and hear nothing.

When evening came, Pranken, in presence of all, requested the
father--such was the word he made use of emphatically--to remain in his
room until he should be sent for. Very modestly, bashfully, and
indulgently, Sonnenkamp betook himself to his room.

Long tables were now set in the courtyard, and food and drink were
spread upon them, for the boats fastened together and gondolas were
already coming down from the upper Rhine, and music was heard in the
distance. The boats arranged themselves in front of the villa.

When it was dark, torches and parti-colored lamps, like a garland of
fire, were hung upon the vessels.

Sonnenkamp was alone in his room, and he was continually trying to
imagine what sort of an address would be made to him, and he repeated
half aloud to himself his reply.

Approaching footsteps were now heard, and the Major and the Justice
made their appearance. The Major said that they would bear him company
for a while, and the Justice added that it must certainly touch him
very deeply, for he would be obliged to be an actual witness of the
gratitude which the hearts of so many people, struggling for the means
of living, felt towards him. Sonnenkamp expressed his thanks, and
smoked away quietly, holding his cigar very tenderly, as if he felt
bashful even in its presence.

He begged his friends to excuse him for not being able to entertain
them; that he had lived so many years abroad, and now it almost
overwhelmed him to have found a home in so many staunch hearts; and he
did not deserve it, for he had given nothing but a little wretched
money. The Justice wanted to make a reply, but the Major nodded to him
to omit it. In such moments, he whispered to him, a man must be
expected to make some extravagant speeches, and it is sufficient to
listen quietly to what he says; and besides, he saw that Sonnenkamp was
conning over the speech which he was soon to get off.

Several heavy footsteps were now heard, and Pranken said, opening the