But the Major's look suddenly changed, when Eric continued,—
"From your practical American standpoint you would certainly approve of my refusal, if that were necessary, in order to attain higher conditions, whether internal or external, of my own freedom. But I tell you frankly, that I have no motive for this refusal, except the duty of gratitude towards my patron."
Sonnenkamp answered, assentingly,—
"I am very far from desiring to interfere at all with your plan of life. I regret to be obliged to give it up, but I give it up."
"Yes," interposed the Major, "you give it up, and he declines. That's no go. The youth, what is he going to do? What becomes of him?"
Sonnenkamp and Eric regarded the Major in silence, who uttered the decisive words,—"What becomes of Roland?"
Eric was the first to collect himself, and requested that Sonnenkamp would commit his son to him for a year at the capital; for he himself must acknowledge that he should no longer be happy or at rest, until he could expend his best energies for the boy, in order to establish him in a noble career in life; and that it would be the best plan for Roland also to be brought up in the companionship of others, and he would see to it that he had good companions.
Sonnenkamp pressed his fingers to his lips, and then said,—
"Such a plan cannot be talked of for a moment; my breath is gone, when I know that the child is away from me. I must therefore beseech you, not a word of this."
He now requested the Major to leave him alone with the Captain.