my young dogs."

A deep color dyed his cheeks, and his lips became purple.

"I do not wish to punish you on the day that you receive your tutor,"
said Sonnenkamp, casting a glance toward his wife.

"I? a tutor again? no tutor for me," replied the boy; "and if you give
me one, I will soon make him take his leave."

Sonnenkamp smiled. This bold, defiant attitude of the boy seemed
specially to delight him. When Roland, who had just declined all food,
ate now heartily, his mother followed his example; in the satisfaction
of knowing that her son had so good an appetite, she also found one, so
that Fraeulein Perini could not refrain from remarking to Roland,--

"See, Master Roland, how on your dear mother's account you should come
regularly at meal-time, for she can only taste food when you also
partake of it."

The boy gave Fraeulein Perini a peculiar look, but made no reply; there
seemed to be no good understanding between the boy and the companion of
his mother. Fraeulein Perini, however, showed her friendliness toward
the boy, promising to pay a visit with him to the young dogs after
breakfast.

"Do you know why dogs are born blind?" asked Roland.

"Because God has so ordained it."

"But why has God ordained it?"

Fraeulein Perini looked puzzled at this question, and Herr Sonnenkamp
came to her help, saying that he who was continually asking the reason
why would never accomplish anything, and that Roland had fallen into
this way of constant questioning, because he was not willing to learn
anything thoroughly.

The boy looked down. A certain sullenness or dulness, perhaps both,
appeared in the expression of his face.

Frau Ceres left the breakfast table, seated herself in a rocking-chair,
and contemplated her long, delicate, almond-shaped nails.

Herr Sonnenkamp told her what a number of letters in German, French,
and English he had received in answer to his advertisement; the
candidates had generally enclosed their photographs, and rightly, for
personal appearance was significant.

Frau Ceres listened like one who is sleepy, sometimes closing her eyes.
When Sonnenkamp remarked how much misery there was in the world, a
constant looking for a perfect success, to which every man believes
that money is the one thing needful, she threw upon him a sidelong
glance of surprise, apparently not comprehending how any one could
live, and be destitute of means.

Fraeulein Perini, the companion, was a useful mediator