Das landhaus am Rhein. English
Page 114
"Your honored husband is very benevolent."
"I thank you," replied Frau Ceres.
"If I were in your place," exclaimed Sonnenkamp, "I would say, YourHighness, it is our duty, and we are highly rewarded for it by itsmeeting your gracious notice."
"Please write that out for me, I will learn it," said Frau Ceres,turning to her husband. She seemed to have grown younger, and hercheeks glowed.
The Professorin was extremely animated, and after saying: "I am yourMistress of Ceremonies," she led Frau Ceres to a seat.
"No, not so,--you must look after your train a little, and spread itout handsomely. So,--that's light, and then open your fan, you have theright to open it now, but not before. It is best to have it hung toyour wrist by a small cord; it falls so easily."
The jesting went on merrily; when twelve o'clock struck, Rolandcried:--
"Father, now your health is being drunk by hundreds of people."
Sonnenkamp kissed his son, Frau Ceres kissed the Professorin, then benther head and waited calmly for a kiss on her brow from her husband.Outside, the bells rang, and guns were fired.
"Welcome to the New Year! to fresh life!" cried Eric, as his pupilgratefully kissed the hand which grasped his own.
In the neighborhood of the villa, there was much noise of guns andshouting; and Sonnenkamp was quite indignant that the good Germanpolice should allow such doings; it was nothing but rude vulgarity.
Eric said, on the other hand:--
"We can find in this inharmonious noise, if we consider itpsychologically, an expression of joy. Without knowing it himself, theinsignificant man who fires off a pistol, takes pleasure in the senseof surprise that he can produce an effect so far off, and that so manypeople must notice what he does. So this custom, barbarous in itself,is to be explained; it gives force to the human voice, you see, to thevociferous shouting."
Sonnenkamp smiled, and Eric was glad that he had brought, not his pupilalone, but the father also, to a gentler view of humanity.
But Sonnenkamp thought: This walking university, these readycatechetical answers on every subject, begin to grow a little tedious;it is well that we are going into a wider circle.
Then he smiled, and bade Eric and Roland a cheerful good-night.
Warmly wrapped in furs and attended by two servants, the Professorinand the Aunt returned to their own house; and soon all was still, andevery one dreaming of the New Year.