Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-29
On the Sea-Alp,

OF course. 1 begged her to precede me-
And she did 1t with natural dignity, as
if, instead of peasant frock she We're wear
ing the longest of court trains.
She ushered me into a big room with
many windows, red wooden walls, dark
ceiling baulks and white foor-a bright
delightful room
In the alcove stood her whole library.
1t consists of only two authors-Goethe is
one. / had never heard of the other. He
is Gottfried Keller. L asked Miss Fritz
who Gottfried Keller is. She looked at me
with big eyes. Therefore, l must have said
something exceedingly stupid.
Well, in Gods namei There are no
doubt, thousands of matters that every body
knows that have never been told to me.
l made up my mind to ask the count about
Gottfried Keller. At all events, the count
must furnish me with bCokS-bookS that
my professors will not give me because
they are not suitable for the son of the
king. L am determined to learn, to under
stand, to comprehend humanity. And |
wish to learn not as a prince, but as a
man!
Miss Fritz begged me to excuse her for
a short time while she made preparations
| went out for stroll. l nodded to the
workers as l passed and they nodded back
at me, with happy simplicity 1t was a
splendid day, and l was happy to my soul.
Suddenly it struck me that it would be
tine If Miss Fritz would let me eat at the
common table with them all instead of
serving separately for the count and me-
l decided to look for her and ask her
Surely the count will permit it. At any
rate, it is my wish--I do not request, l
, command.
Filled with my desires 1 FASTENED toward
the house. In little summer house. COW
| cred with wild grapes and blooming hops
heard voices; and l was just going to
call out the name of my hostess. when
| my own name was mentioned behind the
| thick, leafy covert.
| And then 1 did something for which
| feel ashamed now to the depths of my
| soul. crept nearer and listened. I be-
/ came an eavesdropper. Shameful as il
was, did 1t, and-now l am ashamed
How could l? Had 1 been an ordinary
| human being l would not have listened
| Honestly and truly not. An ordinary hui
| man being hears the truth now and then
! from others-the truth about himself But
| such poor son of a king; nobody ever
has told me the truth about myself-no,
even the shadov of the truth. No creature
| under the sun has been humane enough to
| do 1t. l know so little about myself tina;
| am stranger to myself Often. offer
| brood: What are you in truth? Are
| l do not know 1t. and nobody helps me tc
| know. So. when / heard my name. the
thought leaped through my mind
Now they are speaking of you! Perhaps
: dpout WHAT hIuu VI II man you arei Now
| you can hear 1t. Miss Fritz is SURELY tbs
truth itself What she says about you will
be correct But would she, even she
speak Ill of me to the count. the courtier
II she happens to think i'll of me? And
| how should she think well of me that haG
| never done anything we'll?
l am suspicious. / trust no one Really
| that is terrible And when consider how
young I am still
| Well. then, 1 became an eavesdropper
| Here I write down what heard
| Your prince is a good creature"
| "Oh. yes"
You say that so coolly'
| What would you have?"
| "How?'
| You should have said: He is a roof
| creature STILL"
II have no fears for him: he will remain
| good"
| II hone so''
| "You seem to doubt"
| IT long to believe It,"
You are loyal to your young master, ar,
you notT'
THAT I am"