"Roland, what is the matter?" asked Eric.
Roland did not answer; his head was like ice.
Eric gave a pull at the bell, and then bent over the boy again.
Sonnenkamp entered, to know why they did not come to dinner. Eric pointed to Roland.
The father threw himself upon the lifeless form, and a piercing cry was wrung from his breast.
Joseph was sent in haste for a physician, and by the use of strong salts Roland was restored to consciousness. His father and Eric undressed him and put him to bed, the poor boy moaning all the while, and his teeth chattering with the chill that followed the first attack of fever.
Sonnenkamp looked in terror at the anxiety depicted on the physician's face when he saw his patient.
"It is a very violent attack; I don't know what the result may be. Has he often such?" asked the doctor.
"Never before! never before!" cried Sonnenkamp.
After the application of various restoratives Roland was able again to speak, and his first words were:—