"There you are," he said to me, "they are no more afraid of the devil than they are of books. Like sire, like son! The boys are not a bit better than their honourable begetter. However, I trust I shall be able to steady them yet, and will see who is the master here." After he had for a while scolded and reproached me for my incomprehensible shortsightedness in taking the part of these miserable boys, he reached down a shabby felt hat and disappeared. When he had left my father entered the room; I could see that he tried to avoid the company of my brother as much as possible. "What are you going to do?" I asked him, because he was putting on a large blue overall. "I am going to tidy the room, and after that I am going to cook." He took a broom and began to sweep the floor. I would much rather have done it myself, but the weariness in my knees was so great that I could hardly stand up, so I remained seated on the edge of the bed and watched him silently. After a while I asked him: "Have you thought over where I shall go to?" "Well, the best thing for you to do would be to go into the country." "But that must not come too expensive." "You might go up to the mill. I saw uncle last week, and they would certainly be pleased to have you there for some time." My joy was very great. I had not been there for so many years, and the thought of strolling once more through those lovely meadows filled me with delight. "There is only one thing," my father continued, scratching his head in some embarrassment, "the fare will amount to at least four to five shillings, but I must try and get the money somehow." "That is not necessary; I have got as much myself." "Well, then there are no further difficulties, and if you will tell me when you want to go I will write immediately." I should have liked best to go at once, but since I did not want to arrive there unexpectedly, I decided to stay at home for a week. During that week I suffered terribly. The violent scenes between my father and my brother drove me almost mad with anxiety and fear. I hailed the day of my departure with the greatest joy, and spent five quiet weeks with the very aged relations of my mother. The pure, lovely air, together with the sunshine and the wonderful tranquillity all around, soon made me feel better, and I was able to walk again without pains in my knees. As soon as I felt better I asked myself: "What now?" The thought of remaining at home was unbearable to me, and yet I considered it to be my duty to stand by my parents in their troubles. I turned the question over and over again in my mind, but much as I thought and much as I reasoned, there was no way out. "I must stay at home," I said to myself, "to work for them, and the sooner I begin the better for us all."