In many points I was in advance of the other pupils in the second class, in others behind them; but this troubled me very little--school seemed a necessary evil.

My real life commenced after its close, and here also my natural cheerfulness ruled my whole nature.

The town offered me few attractions, but the country was full of pleasures.

Unfortunately, I could not go to Komptendorf as often as I wished, for it was a two hours' walk, and horses and carriages were not always at my disposal.
Yet many a Saturday found me there, enjoying the delight of chatting with my kind hostess about home news and other pleasant things, or reading aloud to her.
Even in the second year of my stay at Kottbus I went to every dance given on the estates in the neighbourhood and visited many a delightful home in the town.

Then there were long walks--sometimes with Dr.Boltze and my school-mates, sometimes with friends, and often alone.
We frequently took a Sunday walk, which often began on Saturday afternoon, usually with merry companions and in the society of our stern master, who, gayer than the youngest of us, needed our care rather than we his.