It seemed as if some malicious fairy had prepared the surprises that arrived , so unwelcome were they , so magical the change they wrought , turning his happy world into a scene of desolation and despair as suddenly as a transformation at the pantomime . The first came in the morning when , duly armed with costly bouquets and bon-bons , he went to thank Minna and her mother for the braces embroidered with forget-me-nots and the silk socks knit by the old lady 's nimble fingers , which he had found upon his table that day . The Frau Mamma received him graciously ; but when he asked for the daughter the good lady frankly demanded what his intentions were , adding that certain gossip which had reached her ear made it necessary for him to declare himself or come no more , as Minna 's peace must not be compromised . A more panic-stricken youth was seldom seen than Nat as he received this unexpected demand . He saw too late that his American style of gallantry had deceived the artless girl , and might be used with terrible effect by the artful mother , if she chose to do it . Nothing but the truth could save him , and he had the honour and honesty to tell it faithfully . A sad scene followed ; for Nat was obliged to strip off his fictitious splendour , confess himself only a poor student , and humbly ask pardon for the thoughtless freedom with which he had enjoyed their too confiding hospitality . If he had any doubts of Frau Schomburg 's motives and desires , they were speedily set at rest by the frankness with which she showed her disappointment , the vigour with which she scolded him , and the scorn with which she cast him off when her splendid castles in the air collapsed . The sincerity of Nat 's penitence softened her a little and she consented to a farewell word with Minna , who had listened at the keyhole , and was produced drenched in tears , to fall on Nat 's bosom , crying : ` Ah , thou dear one , never can I forget thee , though my heart is broken ! ' This was worse than the scolding ; for the stout lady also wept , and it was only after much German gush and twaddle that he escaped , feeling like another Werther ; while the deserted Lotte consoled herself with the bonbons , her mother with the more valuable gifts . The second surprise arrived as he dined with Professor Baumgarten . His appetite had been effectually taken away by the scene of the morning , and his spirits received another damper when a fellow student cheerfully informed him that he was about to go to America , and should make it his agreeable duty to call on the ` lieber Herr Professor Bhaer ' , to tell him how gaily his protege was disporting himself at Leipzig . Nat 's heart died within him as he imagined the effect these glowing tales would have at Plumfield -- not that he had wilfully deceived them , but in his letters many things were left untold ; and when Carlsen added , with a friendly wink , that he would merely hint at the coming betrothal of the fair Minna and his ` heart 's friend ' , Nat found himself devoutly hoping that this other inconvenient heart 's friend might go to the bottom of the sea before he reached Plumfield to blast all his hopes by these tales of a mis-spent winter . Collecting his wits , he cautioned Carlsen with what he flattered himself was Mephistophelian art , and gave him such confused directions that it would be a miracle if he ever found Professor Bhaer . But the dinner was spoilt for Nat , and he got away as soon as possible , to wander disconsolately about the streets , with no heart for the theatre or the supper he was to share with some gay comrades afterwards . He comforted himself a little by giving alms to sundry beggars , making two children happy with gilded gingerbread , and drinking a lonely glass of beer , in which he toasted his Daisy and wished himself a better year than the last had been . Going home at length , he found a third surprise awaiting him in the shower of bills which had descended upon him like a snowstorm , burying him in an avalanche of remorse , despair , and self-disgust . These bills were so many and so large that he was startled and dismayed ; for , as Mr Bhaer wisely predicted , he knew little about the value of money . It would take every dollar at the bankers to pay them all at once , and leave him penniless for the next six months , unless he wrote home for more . He would rather starve than do that ; and his first impulse was to seek help at the gaming-table , whither his new friends had often tempted him .
But he had promised Mr XXXXX to resist what then had seemed an impossible temptation ; and now he would not add another fault to the list already so long .
America Bhaer Daisy bonbons day forget-me-nots left months third year