“Nay, Brother Schneider, teach not that women are evil.” Gerson Brandt placed one thin hand on the desk and turned on the Herr Doktor a face in which was a determined look. “It is meet that thou shouldst tell the children how the world was saved through a woman, who was the mother of Christ.” “Gerson Brandt, interrupt not this lesson. I have come here to measure the knowledge of those intrusted to thy care.” Adolph Schneider again pounded the floor with his cane. “Can the school tell me nothing more about Eve’s fall?” Adolph Schneider asked. In the back part of the room rose the fool. He had in his hand one of the gourds that he always carried with him. “The Bible teacheth us it was the serpent that did tempt Eve,” he said, studying the gourd as if he were reading from it. “Ja, ja,” said the Herr Doktor; “but Eve, being a woman, was full of curiosity; she inclined her ear to the serpent.” “And Adam did incline his ear to Eve,” the simple one announced. “It is said it is always thus. Even in the colony I have noticed that the men are keen, indeed, to hear what the women would say.” Something like a smile flitted over Karl Weisel’s face. He brought his chair forward on its four legs, and listened for what was coming. “Take thy seat. How darest thou comment on the men and women of Zanah? Thou art the simple one who cannot separate good from evil.” The fool still stood in his place with the gourd in his hand. “The fool hath ears that he can hear; he hath eyes that he can see.” “But what he seeth and heareth hath not the right meaning to him.” “The fool hath seen Karl Weisel, head of the thirteen elders, listen to the words of Gretchen Schneider, the daughter of the leader of Zanah,” declared the fool, still reading from his gourd. “Silence!” shouted the Herr Doktor. Turning to Gerson Brandt, he said: “So the fool hath become a spy. He is more dangerous than a wise man.” “The truth is not in him,” said Karl Weisel, springing to his feet. “Hans Peter should be kept in confinement where he cannot speak harmful things.” “He meaneth nothing wrong,” said Gerson Brandt. “Be merciful to the simple one.” “The main object in coming here to-day was to instruct you concerning the _Untersuchung_,” said Adolph Schneider, when Karl Weisel had resumed his seat and the children were once more gazing stolidly in front of them. “I hope you are all prepared to give an account of your souls when the elders of Zanah shall inquire into your spiritual condition. From now until the day when we hope to behold the inspiration of a new prophetess I want you all to think over your sins. I wonder how many of you have told a lie this week.” Every boy in the school looked guilty. “I should like to have all who have spoken only the truth stand up that I may see them.” “Nay, ask not that,” said the school-master. “I fear lest the children be tempted to forget their shortcomings and to act a falsehood because they desire to appear well before thee.”