"Don't trouble yourself, my lad!'
"While Herr Elias was writing busily, the elder of the strangers went up to Traugott, who was standing silent and abashed, and said:
"'You seem to be a little out of your element here, my dear sir! It would never have occurred to a real man of business to sketch figures when he ought to have been writing a letter of advice.'
"This Traugott could not gainsay. Much astonished, himself, at what had occurred, he said:
"'I can't quite make it out. I've written plenty of letters of advice. It's only now and then that I make one of these mistakes.'
"'My dear sir,' said the stranger, with a smile, 'I must say I don't think it seems to be a mistake at all. I should rather be inclined to suppose that very few of your letters of advice are worth as much as this admirable, accurate, and powerful outline sketch. There is true genius in it!'
"With which he took the paper from Traugott, folded it carefully up, and put it in his pocket. This convinced Traugott firmly that he had done something much better than writing a letter of advice. A new spirit awoke within him; and when Elias Roos, who had finished his letter, and was still very much out of temper, cried, 'That nonsense of yours very nearly cost me £500,' Traugott answered him, louder and more firmly than usual, 'Don't go on making such a fuss, or I shall have to bid you good-morning, and write no more of your damned letters of advice.'
"Herr Elias set his wig straight with both hands, stared at Traugott, and said:
"What nonsense you're talking, partner; you can't be serious, son-in-law?'
"The elder of the strangers intervened, and it required very few words to wholly re-establish the peace between them. Then they all went to dinner at Elias Roos's house.