He took
him about, showed and explained everything to him, and finally
brought out his pet scheme--that he should sell the house in Berlin,
and buy instead some marshland near by, which was to be had for a
moderate sum; he would give him a helping hand at first, and as
property of that kind could very well afford a steward, he could
easily get him a first-rate one. They would be neighbors, Wilhelm
would have a larger income and fewer wants, and live in peace and
comfort. Wilhelm was profoundly touched by the affection which was
manifest in Paul's every word and thought, but the prospects he
opened up before him offered him no attractions.
In July, when the harvest was ripening for the sickle, and man had
nothing to do but leave the sun to its work of brooding on the
fields, Paul went one day to a committee meeting in the town. When
he came home he remarked to Wilhelm at supper:
"What do you think? They have discovered that I am harboring a
dangerous Social Democrat. The Landrath actually remonstrated with
me on the subject in a discreet and well-meaning way. I can't tell
you how the man amused me," and he laughed again as he recalled the
conversation. But all his amusement vanished when Wilhelm answered:
"The Landrath was quite right.
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