Stretching out her arms, the mother cried,—
"In Heaven's name, Hermann—thou?"
"My name is not Hermann. I am Roland."
The mother approached him trembling; just then the aunt came in with a light, and all was explained. Roland said that he had followed Eric, because he wished never to leave him. The mother kissed him, weeping and sobbing.
Steps were heard on the stairs, and Eric entered. Roland had no strength to rise from his seat as Eric exclaimed,—
"You—here!"
Roland could hardly utter the words to explain what he had done. He stared wildly at Eric, who stood before him like a stranger, without even holding out his hand. As soon as Roland had finished speaking, Eric said sternly,—
"If you were my son, I would punish you severely for your self-will, and the anxiety you have caused your family."
"You may punish me, I will not stir. No one in the world could punish me like you; you do not punish like-—-"
The beating of his heart prevented his finishing what he was about to say, and perhaps also an aversion to complaining of his father restrained him. He had forgotten till now what had last incited him to run away, and only remembered the longing for Eric; now he looked around him, as if he saw his father's upraised hand in the air.