Paul hypocritically invited
Frau Brohl and Frau Marker to come and live on his estate--he did
not even fear two mothers-in-law. Grandmother and mother, though
pleased with his attachment for them, declined with thanks. The
cunning dog had reckoned on that refusal. He would have been in a
terrible dilemma had they accepted. He would then have had to reveal
the whole truth, and tell them that his so-called "property" was a
mere swamp, where there was no place for one's feet to tread unless
clad in waterproof boots; hardly a fit place for townspeople,
accustomed to comfort. Before the changes on the Friesenmoor could
be brought about one fell into pools, one's feet got fast in boggy
earth, and the only inhabitants at present were waterfowl, frogs and
toads. He did not even take Malvine to his property but lived in
Hamburg, going to Harburg every morning and returning in the
evening.
In a short time the neighborhood between the Seeve and the Suderelbe
wore a different appearance. Hundreds of laborers were to be seen on
the moor, which hitherto had reflected only the sky in its silent
pools. Dams were thrown up, trenches dug, a dwelling house was
raised on piles, numbers of business offices, and quite a village
for workmen, all mounted and secure on piles of wood, stakes, and
stone foundations.
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