It was overflowing, and I have no one in Berlin to whom I can unburden myself.

You see, I must have you near me.

So write your petition, and if it is not accepted, why then--then we will go together to Switzerland or America, and love our country from afar, and without any admixture of bitterness, just as I did in India." In face of this deep and unselfish concern over the condition of the commonalty which trembled in Schrotter's voice and spoke from his gloomy blue eyes, Wilhelm felt half ashamed of having made so much of his own small troubles.

He declared himself willing to send in the petition, and for the first time for weeks he was able to think of something else than Pilar and his dealings with regard to her.
Schrotter stayed for a few days, which he passed almost exclusively with Wilhelm and Paul.

All three felt themselves younger by ten years in this renewal of their intimacy, and Paul said more than once, "Would it not be splendid, Herr Doctor, if you two would buy some property near me?
Then, in the summer months at any rate, we could all live together, so to speak.