It won for the infant institute in the person of Langethal--if the expression is allowable--the backbone.
Froebel had sent Middendorf to meet his friend, and the latter, on the way, told him of the happiness which he had found in his new home and occupation.

Then they entered Keilhau, and the splendid landscape which surrounds it needs no praise.
Froebel received his former comrade with the utmost cordiality, and the sight of the robust, healthy, merry boys who were lying on the floor that evening, building forts and castles with the wooden blocks which Froebel had had made for them according to his own plan, excited the keenest interest.

He had come to take his brother away; but when he saw him, among other happy companions of his own age, complete the finest structure of all--a Gothic cathedral--it seemed almost wrong to tear the child from this circle.
He gazed sadly at his brother when he came to bid him "good-night," and then remained alone with Froebel.

The latter was less talkative than usual, waiting for his friend to tell him of the future which awaited him in Silesia.

When he heard that a second tutor was to relieve Langethal of half his work, he exclaimed, with the greatest anxiety: "You do not know him, and yet intend to finish a work of education with him?
What great chances you are hazarding!" The next morning Froebel asked his friend what goal in life he had set before him, and Langethal replied: "Like the apostle, I would fain proclaim the gospel to all men according to the best of my powers, in order to bring them into close communion with the Redeemer." Froebel answered, thoughtfully: "If you desire that, you must, like the apostles, know men.