Transcriber's Note:
1. Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/breakingstormtr01spiegoog
Philip had whispered to Reinhold that he would look him up presently;Reinhold trembled for the result of a meeting between father and son,which could not have occurred at a more unfortunate moment; but itcould not be helped, and he determined to employ the interval in sayinga few words of comfort, after the scene that had just taken place, tothe old clerk whom he had spoken to several times during the last fewdays, and had learnt to look upon as certainly a peculiar but anexcellent and upright man. He found the old man in the little arbour atthe end of the narrow walk, between the garden and the building, in theupper story of which he and Anders lived. He was sitting quite brokendown on the bench, while Cilli, who was with him, wiped the drops ofperspiration from his brow. She recognised Reinhold's step at once, andsaid, as he entered the arbour:
"Thank God that you have come, sir! You were present. How did HerrSchmidt take my father's confession? From what my father says, Iconclude very badly."
"On the contrary, Fräulein Cilli, my uncle is of opinion that betweentwo such old friends as himself and your father, a merely theoreticdifference is of no consequence."
"But if it should not stop at theory," exclaimed the old man, "if thepractical consequences are carried out by everybody--"
"But not by you, my dear Herr Kreisel! Answer me one question: wouldyou take advantage of any crisis in business to force from youremployer an increase of salary?"
"Never!" exclaimed the old man, "never!"
"You see for yourself! Though you may be perfectly right in theory,between it and practice there lies, in the minds of educated peoplelike yourself, a long and rough road, into which you will never enter,or on which, after the first few steps, you will stand still inhorror."
"Ah! yes, my nerves!" murmured the old man; "my nerves are not strongenough for it. I am worn out; I believe he is right after all; anhour's sleep would do me good."He was persuaded by Reinhold and Cilli to go into the house; Reinholdwent a little way with him; when he returned to the arbour, Cilli wassitting with her hands before her, and such an expression of deepsorrow and trouble on her pure, gentle face, that it went to Reinhold'sheart.
"Dear little Cilli," said Reinhold, sitting down by her and taking herhands in his "do not be so anxious. I give you my word that my uncledoes not dream of parting with your father; matters remain between themexactly as before."
"Not exactly," answered Cilli, shaking her head; "since Thursday myfather has been quite changed