"Because it tastes so much better when there are others here to enjoy it with us," was the simple, smiling answer. "But you ought to take more of it," said Johannes. "This good old wine is excellent for you; it is a tonic." The old man looked sadly at the few drops which he had poured out for himself, and with which he had only moistened his lips. "You forget that I have been for a long time forbidden to take wine, on account of my eyes." "My poor husband!" said his wife, sadly stroking his hollow cheeks. "He has to deny himself so much." Johannes and Hilsborn exchanged glances, and then the latter said, "I reverse that prohibition, Herr Leonhardt. Take a good glass of wine whenever you feel inclined. It cannot harm your eyes as much as it will improve your general health." "Thank God!" cried his wife rejoiced. "That proves how much better you are." "Or how much worse," Leonhardt said in Latin to Hilsborn, with a grave look. Then, turning tenderly to his wife, he slowly emptied his glass, whispering to her, "Long live our Walter!" The old woman nodded delightedly. "Our good boy! if he only had his degree!" Leonhardt clasped his hands with a deep sigh. "That is all that I ask of God." "Are you speaking of your son?" cried the gentlemen. "Then let us join you. May he live to be the delight and prop of your old age!" "He is a very talented young man," added Johannes. "His essay was declared the best after Fräulein von Hartwich's." "Indeed!" said the schoolmaster. "I am glad to hear it. Ah, the Fräulein is fortunate. She has everything necessary for her studies,--books and apparatus. There is hardly such another private laboratory and library in the country." Johannes looked surprised. "Indeed! how do you know that?" "My son has, during his studies, also perfected himself as a mechanic, for he says it is a great advantage for a naturalist, and Fräulein von Hartwich, hearing of it accidentally, intrusted him with some repairs of her furniture, and then he saw what treasures she possessed." Johannes looked thoughtful. "Hm! as far as I know, Fräulein von Hartwich's income is by no means so large as to allow of such extravagant expenditure. Her uncle may have permitted his ward to encroach upon her capital; it would only be a fresh proof of his want of principle." After a short pause, he turned to the schoolmaster.--"Herr Leonhardt, answer me one question. If a man wishes to rid a country of a dangerous wild animal, is it best to track him to his den by cunning, that he may be safely overcome there, or to startle him with loud noise and frighten him off, so that he either escapes or has time to prepare to defend himself?" The schoolmaster looked puzzled. "Why, a prudent man would surely pursue the first course."