"Just as you arrived," said the old lady, "we were speaking of your father and my dear husband. A clock-dealer from Prussia had been saying that our clocks were not so good as they used to be when your father and my husband were alive; that they did not keep so good time. I told him I did not agree with him; that, with all respect to the dead, I was sure the clocks were just as exact now as in old times, but that the men who used them were more particular. Was I not right, Lenz? You are an honest man; tell me if I was not right." Lenz assured her she was perfectly right, and thanked her for not extolling the old times at the expense of the new. The engineer cited railways and telegraphs as proofs of the superior exactness of the present day. When the conversation became general, the doctor drew Lenz aside and said to him, "Lenz, you will not be offended at what I have to say to you?" Lenz's heart sank within him. So the doctor, too, was going to speak of the ruin in his house. "What is it?" he said, with difficulty. "I wanted to propose, if it were not distasteful to you, and I really do not see why you should object--but what need of so much preparation? I want you to be director in the clock manufactory which my son and son-in-law have set up here. Your knowledge will be of service to them, and you shall receive in time a share of the profits besides your regular salary." Here was a hand stretched out from heaven to save him. "I should be very glad to undertake it, certainly," returned Lenz, turning red and hot; "but you know, doctor, it has always been my endeavor to form an association of all the clockmakers of our district. Various circumstances have thus far prevented my accomplishing this plan, but I still cherish it, and therefore can only join this enterprise on condition that your two sons promise to connect the manufactory with the association, perhaps in time even to make it a part of the property of the association." "That is precisely our intention; I am glad to see you still so thoughtful of others." "Agreed then; yet I must make one other condition; please say nothing of our plan till--" Lenz hesitated. "Well, till when?" "Till I have spoken with my wife. She has her own ideas on such matters." "I know her well. She is always rightly disposed when her pride does not stand in the way. An honest pride is greatly to be respected." Lenz cast down his eyes, accepting the doctor's lesson, so kindly and courteously given. His thoughts quickly reverted to the manufactory, however, and he begged leave to ask the doctor yet another question. "Certainly; don't be so modest." "Who among our best workmen are to be admitted?"