"Poor fellow!" I said, and took his arm again, which I had previously let go.
"But that is the least," continued Arthur, in a querulous tone. "'Your father is always running in debt,' the colonel said; 'as soon as I see that you are following in his footsteps, we shall have to part.' But I ask you now, how with a couple of groschen a day can one avoid running into debt? To-morrow I have to meet a little note which a villain of a Jew swindled me out of. I spoke of it to papa and to mamma, and they both say they have not money enough to take them home, not to speak of giving me any. I must get out of the scrape as best I can. Very well; I will get out of it, but in another way."
And the ensign whistled softly, and assumed a look of gloomy desperation.
"How much do you need, Arthur!" I asked.
"A mere trifle--twenty-five thalers."
"I will give it to you."
"You?"
"I have about so much in the cashier's hands here; and if it falls a little short, he will give me credit."
"Will you really do that, you dear good old George?" cried Arthur, seizing both my hands and shaking them again and again.
"But don't make such a fuss about it," I said, trying with very mixed feelings to escape the ensign's rather too exuberant gratitude.