It was an old custom of Niebeldingk's--a remnant of his half out-lived Don Juan years--to send a bunch of Indian lilies to those women who had granted him their supreme favours. He always sent the flowers next morning. Their symbolism was plain and delicate: In spite of what has taken place you are as lofty and as sacred in my eyes as these pallid, alien flowers whose home is beside the Ganges. Therefore have the kindness--not to annoy me with remorse. It was a delicate action and--a cynical one. Chapter II. At noon--Niebeldingk had just returned from his morning canter--the visitor, previously announced, was ushered in. He was a robust young fellow, long of limb and broad of shoulder. His face was round and tanned, with hot, dark eyes. With merry boldness, yet not without diffidence, he sidled, in his blue cheviot suit, into the room. "Morning, Herr von Niebeldingk." Enviously and admiringly Niebeldingk surveyed the athletic figure which moved with springy grace. "Morning, my boy ... sober?" "In honour of the day, yes." "Shall we breakfast?" "Oh, with delight, Herr von Niebeldingk!" They passed into the breakfast-room where two covers had already been laid, and while John served the caviare the flood of news burst which had mounted in their Franconian home during the past months. Three betrothals, two important transfers of land, a wedding, Papa's gout, Mama's charities, Jenny's new target, Grete's flirtation with the American engineer. And, above all things, the examination! "Dear Herr von Niebeldingk, it's a rotten farce. For nine years the gymnasium trains you and drills you, and in the end you don't get your trouble's worth! I'm sorry for every hour of cramming I did. They released me from the oral exam., simply sent me out like a monkey when I was just beginning to let my light shine! Did you ever hear of such a thing? _Did_ you ever?" "Well, and how about your university work, Fritz?" That was a ticklish business, the youth averred. Law and political science was no use. Every ass took that up. And since it was after all only his purpose to pass a few years of his green youth profitably, why he thought he'd stick to his trade and find out how to plant cabbages properly. "Have you started in anywhere yet?" Oh, there was time enough. But he had been to some lectures--agronomy and inorganic chemistry.... You have to begin with inorganic chemistry if you want to go in for organic. And the latter was agricultural chemistry which was what concerned him. He made these instructive remarks with a serious air and poured down glass after glass of Madeira. His cheeks began to glow, his heart expanded. "But that's all piffle, Herr von Niebeldingk, ... all this book-worm business can go to the devil.... Life--life--life--that's the main thing!" "What do you call life, Fritz?" With both hands he stroked the velvety surface of his close-cropped skull.