ic met Roland's eye, and the boy laid down the morsel
that he was about putting into his mouth, saying, "I would rather not
eat it."

Sonnenkamp made a sign to the servant to re-fill Eric's glass with
Rauenthaler. This appeared to be his way of expressing his gratitude
for the glance of Eric.

No new topics for light conversation came up. Pranken was silent, and
it was uncertain whether he had exhausted his material, or whether he
wished to make Eric conscious by this reticence how pedantically, and
at the same time ostentatiously, he had disturbed the cordial good
feeling of the table.

The cloth was removed. Fraeulein Perini again repeated a prayer in a low
tone, all stood motionless, and the servants having quickly drawn back
the chairs, they repaired to the veranda, where coffee was served in
very small cups.

Frau Ceres gave a biscuit to a snow-white parrot, and the parrot called
out, "God bless you, massa." Then she sank down into an easy-chair, and
Pranken placed himself near her on a low tabouret, sitting almost at
her feet.

Fraeulein Perini selected a seat sufficiently near, if she wished to
take part in the conversation, and yet far enough off to allow Pranken
to speak with Frau Ceres alone.

Sonnenkamp beckoned to Eric to go with him into the garden. Roland
accompanied them without being asked.

The servant came to inform them that the huntsman Claus was with the
puppies, and begged that the young gentleman would come to him.

"I give you permission to go," the father said.

"But I would prefer to remain with you here," Roland replied.

There was an expression of childlike fondness in the tone and gesture,
as he grasped Eric's hand.

"If your father says that you may go, you should go," Eric quietly
answered.

Roland departed with lingering steps, halting at intervals, but still
he went.

CHAPTER VII.

AN EXAMINATION THAT ENDS WITH A LAUGH.

For some time, the two walked silently side by side. Eric was
dissatisfied with himself; he lived too exclusively in himself, and in
the longing to arrange everything according to his own mental laws, and
to express each truth in the most comprehensive way, throwing himself
into it in the excitement of the moment with perfect freedom and
naivete, yet not unconscious of his intellectual riches.

Hence the hearers felt that, what he said was not only inopportune, but
was presented with a sort of z