Wilhelm went on after a short pause: "But that does not prevent me from sympathizing with the distress of women and children, and I shall be very glad to do what I can if you will give me a detailed account of the state of affairs." In a few plain words the visitor gave a sketch of the circumstances, all the more heartbreaking for its very unpretentiousness.

So many men dismissed, so many wives, so many children, so many parents and near relatives unable to support themselves.

Of these so many were sick, so many women lately confined, so many cripples.

So many had prospects of better circumstances if they could get away from Berlin.

For that purpose such and such a sum was necessary.