"Oh, you have society enough; you have these young people, and, I was going to say, old Bröker at Kniep, and Schimmel of Radboom would be glad to send you their boys also. If I were you I would put on an addition to the old farm-house, to have plenty of room, and establish a regular agricultural school." "That does very well for a joke, Bräsig. I have enough to do with these." "Yes? How do they get along." "Well, Bräsig, you know them both, and I have often thought I should like to ask your opinion." "I can't tell, Karl, till I have seen how they go. Young farmers are like colts, one can't judge merely by looking at them, one must see them put through their paces. See, there goes your young nobleman; call him a little nearer, and let me examine him." Habermann laughed, but complied with Bräsig's request, and called the young man. "Hm," said Bräsig, "a firm gait, not too rapid, holds himself together well, and has his limbs under control. He'll do, Karl. Now the other one!" "Herr von Rambow," said Habermann as the young man came up, "where is Triddelsitz?" "In his room," was the answer. "Hm," said Bräsig, "resting himself a little." "I don't know." "Tell him to come down," said Habermann, "and come back yourself. Coffee will be ready presently." "Karl," said Bräsig, when they were alone, "you will see, the apothecary's son has been taking a nap." "No harm if he has, Bräsig; he is young, and has been at work all the morning, giving out corn for fodder." "But he oughtn't, Karl; it isn't good for young folks to sleep after dinner. See, there he comes! Now send him somewhere, past the window, so that I can see how he goes." "Triddelsitz," called Habermann from the window, "go to the stables, and tell Jochen Boldt to be ready to take Herr Inspector Bräsig home, by and by. He may take the two fore-horses----" "Bon!" said Fritz Triddelsitz, and skipped vivaciously along the causeway. "God preserve us!" cried Bräsig, "what an action! Just look how awkward he is! See the weakness of his ankles, and the thinness of his flanks! It will take you a good while to fat him up. He is a greyhound, Karl, a regular greyhound, and, mark my words, you will make nothing of him." "Eh, Bräsig, he is so young, he will outgrow these peculiarities." "Outgrow them? Sleeps in the afternoon? Says 'Bong' to you? And now look here--for all the world he is coming back again, and hasn't been near the stables." Fritz was coming back again, to be sure; he came to the window and said, "Herr Inspector, didn't you say Jochen Boldt should go?" "Yes," said Bräsig snappishly, "Jochen Boldt shall go, and shall not forget what he is told. You see now, Karl, am I right?" "Bräsig," said Habermann, a little annoyed by Fritz's stupidity, "let him go! we are not all alike; and, though it may cost a good deal of trouble, we will bring him through."