Aunt Ulrica shook her head with a dissatisfied expression of countenance.
"You may certainly boast of your firmness of mind, and your knowledge of human nature; I have shown you the danger of associating with such persons. I sent you away—I—"
"I beg your pardon," interrupted Gottlieb, hastily, "I was not sent away. I took a journey which I had decided on myself, and returned as I departed, with a heart ever ready to sympathise with the afflicted."
"Then go, and participate in the sorrows of your beggar friends. I suppose, from your liberal words, that you are well supplied with money."
"What has happened to them?"
"The old man, in connection with his son, has been detected in smuggling foreign goods, and of course his property was confiscated. The old gentleman in whose name the business was transacted, was sent to prison because he had no money to pay the penalty, and there he will remain until you go to his release."
"And he shall not wait long," replied Gottlieb. "I have accomplished greater undertakings than that in my time."
"Ah, ha," sneered Mrs. Ulrica, "you speak boldly, boy. I am astonished."
"If any one should be astonished, I am the person."
"Indeed!"