But I must frankly confess to you that I do not see why you should not be able to meet all your legitimate expenses with your pay and the two hundred marks allowance per month. At your age I did not have more than that myself, and yet I was able to undertake an extended trip every year. I give you the well-meant advice to live for a time a little more apart from your comrades, in order to reduce your expenses. Employ yourself diligently at home--there is so much to learn in your profession nowadays--and avoid carefully every opportunity which would force you into needless outlay which you would subsequently not be able to meet. Make your scale of living correspond to your income. If you will openly declare that this or that is too costly for you, every one will respect you the more, for they will see that you are not spending beyond your proper income. Do not live carelessly, and shun those amusements which you cannot afford. After all, it is both sensible and high-minded to live within one’s means. Write to me soon how you have regulated this affair and whether the small sum I can offer you will be of advantage to you. In the hope that no inconvenience of a serious character will grow out of your present embarrassment, I remain, Your affectionate OLD FATHER. When Borgert had read these lines, he crushed the paper within his palm and then cast it likewise into the stove. With a sigh he sank into a chair and began to ruminate. At this moment his servant entered and announced Leimann. Borgert went to the door to meet his friend, and when they had stepped into his study, Leimann asked with considerable anxiety: “Well, what important matter is it you have for me this morning?” Borgert planted himself squarely on his legs in front of the other and said with assumed gaiety: “You see, my dear fellow, we all have our troubles. I have just about reached the end of my tether and should like to appoint you receiver of my assets.” “The end of your tether?” retorted Leimann with agitation. “What do you mean by that? Do you mean in money matters?” “You have guessed it. I must have money right now, a whole bagful of it, or else I’m done for.” “Is it as bad as all that? Have new complications arisen? Why, you told me the last time that you were out of your troubles just now.” “Yes, I did; but yesterday I made something of an investigation, and I found that there is no other way out my difficulties than by means of a gigantic loan. I should like, therefore, to speak openly to you about the matter, for I’m in hopes that there must be still ways and means to keep me above water.” Leimann lowered his eyes, looked fixedly at the pattern of the Turkish rug, and rubbed reflectively his unshaven chin. Then he replied with a shrug: “How much is it?”