The father and mother, and a shy, thin, student cousin who was living in the flat, were no less kind.

Whenever I could get out into the country I collected specimens industriously and enlivened the household with hedge-hogs and other small beasts and reptiles which persisted in escaping from partially closed bureau drawers.

The two sons were fascinating students from the University of Leipsic, both of them belonging to dueling corps, and much scarred in consequence.

One, a famous swordsman, was called _Der Rothe Herzog_ (the Red Duke), and the other was nicknamed _Herr Nasehorn_ (Sir Rhinoceros) because the tip of his nose had been cut off in a duel and sewn on again.

I learned a good deal of German here, in spite of myself, and above all I became fascinated with the Nibelungenlied.