not have shown greater practicality. He had told a lie at home; he
had said he was going for a walk with Sanin till lunch-time, and then
going to the shop. While Sanin was dressing, Emil began to talk to
him, rather hesitatingly, it is true, about Gemma, about her rupture
with Herr Klueber; but Sanin preserved an austere silence in reply, and
Emil, looking as though he understood why so serious a matter should
not be touched on lightly, did not return to the subject, and only
assumed from time to time an intense and even severe expression.

After drinking coffee, the two friends set off together--on foot,
of course--to Hausen, a little village lying a short distance from
Frankfort, and surrounded by woods. The whole chain of the Taunus
mountains could be seen clearly from there. The weather was lovely;
the sunshine was bright and warm, but not blazing hot; a fresh wind
rustled briskly among the green leaves; the shadows of high, round
clouds glided swiftly and smoothly in small patches over the earth.
The two young people soon got out of the town, and stepped out boldly
and gaily along the well-kept road. They reached the woods, and
wandered about there a long time; then they lunched very heartily at
a country inn; then climbed on to the mountains, admired the views,
rolled stones down and clapped their hands, watching the queer droll
way in which the stones hopped along like rabbits, till a man passing
below, unseen by them, began abusing them in a loud ringing voice.
Then they lay full length on the short dry moss of yellowish-violet
colour; then they drank beer at another inn; ran races, and tried for
a wager which could jump farthest. They discovered an echo, and began
to call to it; sang songs, hallooed, wrestled, broke up dry twigs,
decked their hats with fern, and even danced. Tartaglia, as far as he
could, shared in all these pastimes; he did not throw stones, it is
true, but he rolled head over heels after them; he howled when they