"'And the result, Edwin?'
"'Is that I have come to none; he is really incomprehensible to me.'
"'Why?'
"'Do allow me not to say it,' he replied; 'but I envy him.'
"'May I not also know what?'
"'Yes,' he said, rising, 'his cool temperament. How much needless agitation, how many sleepless nights one to whom such calmness has been given is spared!'
"'But Klaus is not cold; I do not know what you mean,' said I, reproachfully; 'as little cold as Anna Maria, and—as you.'
"He sat down again, and without regarding my objection, continued: 'For Heaven's sake, do tell me where they got this even temperament, this indifference, this coolness. The father was an eccentric, energetic man, warmly sensitive, even to passionateness—perhaps the mother was so?'
"'I assure you, Edwin,' I repeated, almost hurt, 'you know them both very little yet when you speak thus. They are neither indifferent nor cold-hearted; but both have, alas! inherited too much of the father's warm feelings and eccentricity. Believe me,' I added with a sigh. I was thinking of the scene in the Dambitz forge.
"Edwin Stürmer laughed. 'Well, well,' he said, 'I am far from reproaching Klaus with it; it is only incomprehensible to me. I suppose I seem odd to you?'