His wife stopped my grandfather in the street and informed him that his
grandson was the cleverest and best-read young man that her husband had
come across during his University experience. When I went to the old
poet after the examination to thank him, he said to me (these were his
very words): "I am an old man and must die soon; you must be my
successor at the University; I shall say so unreservedly; indeed, I will
even say it on my death-bed." Strangely enough, he did say it and record
it on his death-bed seven years later, exactly as he had promised to do.
In Broechner's house, too, there was a great deal said about my becoming
a professor. I myself was despondent about it; I thought only of the
war, only wished to be fit for a soldier. Hauch was pleased at my
wanting to be a soldier. "It is fine of you, if you can only stand it."
When Hauch heard for certain that I was only 22 years old (he himself
was 73), he started up in his chair and said:
"Why, it is incredible that at your age you can have got so far." Rasmus
Nielsen was the only one of the professors who did not entertain me with
the discussion of my future academic prospects; but he it was who gave
me the highest praise:
"According to our unanimous opinions," said he, "you are the foremost of
all the young men.
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