"I have only a favor to beg of you."
"A favor? you?"
"Yes. Give me your son"—
"My son?" cried Sonnenkamp in astonishment.
"Will you be so good as to let me finish my sentence. Let your son come into my family for days, weeks, months, as long as you please; only let it be long enough for him to get a new hold in a different sphere. He needs an energetic and free activity. When your son passed a short time with me before this thing happened, I perceived with satisfaction that he had very little personal vanity with all his beauty. He takes pleasure in looking at others rather than at himself. This would be of help; and I would like to aid him still further. As your son will not become a soldier, perhaps it will be well for him to be instructed in husbandry."
"Is this a plan which you have agreed upon with Herr Dournay?"
"Yes, it is his wish; and it seems to me a very good plan."
"Indeed?" said Sonnenkamp. "Perhaps Roland has already been informed of this wish, and of how well it suits?"
"I cannot blame you for this bitter feeling, I can very well understand it; for it is no trifling matter to be placed in a situation where others undertake to dispose of us and ours."
"I thank you, I thank you very kindly.'"