"Have none of your tutors told you anything of him?"
"All of them. They made a great talk about him, but it's stupid."
Eric led the conversation back, and asked, "Who helps you train the dogs?"
"One who knows all about it, the huntsman Klaus, whom they call the screamer; he will be pleased when I tell him that you knew how old the puppies were by their whimper."
Eric nodded. A boy like this might easily be guided to knowledge, if one could once get the lead.
Eric now asked Roland to conduct him to his father. As they were about to leave the stable, a snow-white pony with long mane turned his head quite round and neighed.
"That is my Puck," said Roland. He was evidently very happy in showing the stranger all his treasures, almost like a little child who displays a toy for the wonder of his playmate. Eric could not but praise the beautiful creature, which looked at him with great, wild, shy eyes.
He took the boy's hand, and they went together through the large botanical garden.
"Do you know about plants too?" asked Roland.
"No, I'm quite ignorant about them."