I beg you will allow Carl to come to me to-morrow, as it is the anniversary of his father's death [Nov. 15th], and we wish to visit his grave together. I shall probably come to fetch him between twelve and one o'clock. I wish to know the effect of my treatment of Carl, after your recent complaints. In the mean time, it touched me exceedingly to find him so susceptible as to his honor. Before we left your house I gave him some hints on his want of industry, and while walking together in a graver mood than usual, he pressed my hand vehemently, but met with no response from me. At dinner he scarcely eat anything, and said that he felt very melancholy, the cause of which I could not extract from him. At last, in the course of our walk, he owned that _he was vexed because he had not been so industrious as usual_. I said what I ought on the subject, but in a kinder manner than before. This, however, proves a certain delicacy of feeling, and such _traits_ lead me to augur all that is good. If I cannot come to you to-morrow, I hope you will let me know by a few lines the result of my conference with Carl.
I once more beg you to let me have the account due for the last quarter. I thought that you had misunderstood my letter, or even worse than that. I warmly commend my poor orphan to your good heart, and, with kind regards to all, I remain
Pray forgive me for having allowed the enclosed sum to be ready for you during the last twelve days or more, and not having sent it. I have been very much occupied, and am only beginning to recover, though indeed the word _recovery_ has not yet been pronounced.
It is certainly of some moment to me _not to appear in a false light_, which must account for the accompanying statement being so prolix. As to the future system of education, I can at all events congratulate myself on having done all that I could possibly effect at present _for the best_, and trust _that the future may be in accordance with it_. But if the welfare of my nephew demands a _change_, I shall be the first not only to propose such a step, but _to carry it out_. I am no self-interested guardian, but I wish to establish a new monument to my name through my nephew. I _have no need of my nephew_, but he has need of me. Idle talk and calumnies are beneath the dignity of a man with proper self-respect, and what can be said when these extend even to the subject of linen!!! This might cause me great annoyance, _but a just man ought to be able to bear injustice_ without in the _most remote degree_ deviating from the path of _right_. In this conviction I will stand fast, and nothing shall make me flinch. To deprive me of my nephew would indeed entail a heavy responsibility. As a matter of _policy_ as well as of morality, such a step would be productive of evil results to my nephew. _I urgently recommend his interests to you._ As for me, _my actions_ for _his_ benefit (not for my _own_) must speak for me.