Roland, without speaking, held Eric's right hand between both of his.
"Now let us at once begin our life, fresh and bright."
"Yes," replied Roland, "we'll make Devil fetch something out of the water; he does it splendidly."
"No, my dear brother, we will go to work. Let us see what you have learned."
Eric had noticed particularly, that Roland, who was deficient in every other branch of knowledge, had a pretty good acquaintance with geography. He tested him in this, and Roland was highly pleased to be able to give him accurate answers. They gradually passed to the consideration of other studies, and then Roland appeared confused, and for Latin he had a hatred amounting to a personal hostility.
"We will quietly study what is necessary," Eric said consolingly, "and then we will ride, drive, shoot, fish, and row."
This prospect cheered the boy very much, and when the clock struck in the tower, he suddenly observed,—
"In one hour Herr von Pranken will be with Manna. I can learn to ride, fence, and shoot, as well as Herr von Pranken, don't you think I can?"
"Certainly you can."
"I sent a letter, too, to Manna by Herr von Pranken."