Lenz was indignant at his boasting, and his whole demeanour, at such an hour as this; but he strove to suppress this feeling, and, after an inward struggle, he said in a timid, almost humble tone:-- "Father-in-law, be sure above all things to take care that the wood behind my house is not cut down. I have heard people felling trees there all this morning,--this must not be." The more mildly Lenz said this, the more vociferously the Landlord exclaimed:-- "Why not? he who has bought the wood can do as he pleases with it." "Father-in-law, you promised me that wood." "But you did not accept it. The wood is sold to a wood merchant at Trenzlingen." "But I say you have no power to sell it; that wood is the sole shelter of my roof. Some of the single trees may be cut down, but the whole wood must not be levelled. This is the same state in which it has been preserved for hundreds of years. My grandfather himself told me so." "That is nothing to me. I have other things to think about just now." "Oh Heavens!" cried Lenz, with emotion, "what have you done? You have deprived me of what I value most on earth." "Really! is money everything? I did not before know that even your heart, too, was buried in money bags." "Oh no! you have caused me to seek afresh for parents." "You are old enough to live as an orphan; but I know you are one of those, who, even when they are grandfathers themselves, go whining about, and saying, 'Mother! mother! your precious child is injured!'" Thus spoke the Landlord, and no one could have believed that he could be so spiteful. Lenz chanced to be the only one of his creditors who came within his reach, so he vented the whole burden of his wrath on his head. Lenz was alternately pale and flushed, his lips trembled, and he said:-- "You are the grandfather of my children, and you know what you have robbed them of. I would not have your conscience for the world. But the wood shall not be cut down. I will try the question at law." "Very well; do just as you please about it," said the Landlord, pouring out his coffee. Lenz could no longer bear to stay in the room. On the stone bench before the Lion sat a careworn figure; it was Proebler. He told every one who passed by, that he was waiting here for the commissioners to arrive, for he had pawned his best work to the Landlord upstairs, and it was one in which he had combined all his discoveries; it must on no account be included in the inventory of sale, that other people might see it and imitate it, and thus he would have no profit after all his trouble. The commission of bankruptcy must first secure him a patent from government, which would make him both rich and famous. Lenz took a great deal of trouble to soothe the old man, but he clung fast to his idea, and would not be persuaded to move from the spot. Lenz went on his way, for he had enough to do for himself. He hurried to his uncle Petrowitsch, who said with an air of great triumph:--