I will go walking. You are right. One can be industrious while one is taking a walk. Why didn't I think of that myself!----The written work I shall still have to do at home. MELCHIOR. You can do your writing here; that will make it easier for both of us.----You know, Mamma, that Max von Trenk has been down with brain fever!----To-day at noon Hans Rilow came from von Trenk's deathbed to announce to Rector Sonnenstich that von Trenk had just died in his presence. “Indeed?” said Sonnenstich, “haven't you two hours from last week to make up? Here is the beadle's report. See that the matter is cleared up once for all! The whole class will attend the burial.”----Hans was struck dumb. FRAU GABOR. What book is that you have, Melchior? MELCHIOR. “Faust.” FRAU GABOR. Have you read it yet? MELCHIOR. Not to the end. MORITZ. We're just at the Walpurgisnacht. FRAU GABOR. If I were you I should have waited for one or two years. MELCHIOR. I know of no book, Mamma, in which I have found so much beauty. Why shouldn't I read it? FRAU GABOR. Because you can't understand it. MELCHIOR. You can't know that, Mamma. I feel very well that I am not yet able to grasp the work in its entirety---- MORITZ. We always read together; that helps our understanding wonderfully. FRAU GABOR. You are old enough, Melchior, to be able to know what is good and what is bad for you. Do what you think best for yourself. I should be the first to acknowledge your right in this respect, because you have never given me a reason to have to deny you anything. I only want to warn you that even the best can do one harm when one isn't ripe enough in years to receive it properly.----I would rather put my trust in you than in conventional educational methods.----If you need anything, children, you, Melchior, come up and call me. I shall be in my bedroom. (_Exit._) MORITZ. Your Mamma means the story of Gretchen. MELCHIOR. Weren't we discussing it just a moment ago! MORITZ. Faust himself cannot have deserted her in cold blood! MELCHIOR. The masterpiece does not end with this infamous action!----Faust might have promised the maiden marriage, he might have forsaken her afterwards, but in my eyes he would have been not a hair less worthy of punishment. Gretchen might have died of a broken heart for all I care.----One sees how this attracts the eyes continually; one might think that the whole world turned on sex![2] MORITZ.