"I do believe the boy is going to reproach me with giving him his own way in everything," he cried, in wrathful indignation.
"No," replied Waldemar, briefly. "You meant well, uncle; but you don't know how I feel when I see that Leo is before me in everything, and hear constantly of the necessity of further advantages for him, while I stand by and ... But there shall be an end of it. I'll go to the University, too."
Herr Witold, in his fright, nearly let fall the sofa cushion he was comfortably adjusting.
"To the University?" he repeated.
"Yes, certainly. Dr. Fabian has been talking of it for months."
"And for months you have refused to go.
"That was before ... I have changed my mind now. Leo is to go to the University next year, and if he is ready for it at eighteen, it must be high time for me to be there. I am not going to be outdone always by my younger brother. I shall talk to Dr. Fabian about it to-morrow. And now I'll go round to the stables myself, and see whether Norman is saddled at last. My patience is pretty well worn out."
With these words he took up his hat from the table, and hurried out of the room, full of eagerness to be gone. Herr Witold sat still on the sofa, holding the cushion. He did not think of laying it straight now. It was all over with his noonday rest.
"What has come to the boy, Doctor? What have you been doing to the boy?" he cried, angrily, as that inoffensive individual came into the room.
"I?" asked the Doctor, in alarm. "Nothing! Why, he has but just left you.