d until Babbett came up, saying,--

"Have done with this, now, and crack your jokes somewhere else. Be
quiet, Josey, or go about your business."

Josey struck the table and jabbered grimly. The screen was suddenly
pushed aside, and Steinhaeuser, the admirer of Crescence, appeared,
restrained by his two comrades from assaulting the mocker. Caspar tried
to pacify him, and, as soon as he had partially succeeded, he stepped
up to the three, and said, with more decision than might have been
expected,--

"I'll tell you what: this sort of thing can't be done on my premises;
and the sooner you know it the better. Drink your wine quietly, or I'll
show you what's outside of the door. I won't have my guests insulted
while I'm master of this house. No offence to one; but I will have
order."

"_Juste_," said Florian: "all right: I'll find the gentleman somewhere
else in good time. You hear, you lobsided lout over there? If I catch
you within half a mile of Crescence again, I'll knock your crooked legs
into a cocked hat, and then you may toddle on your tripod."

"You ragamuffin!" roared Steinhaeuser, before whom Caspar had posted
himself. Florian made for him with a "Comapulation smash! _foudre de
Dieu!_" but Caspar hauled him back, and Constantine was shrewd enough
to interfere as a peacemaker.

The three left the house, followed by Josey. On the road they vowed
never to patronize the Eagle again. Florian made an effort to go back,
however: he hadn't given the landlord all his change.

[Illustration: Constantine was shrewd enough to interfere as a
peacemaker.]

"Thunder an' ouns!" said Constantine, "stay here, I tell you. You're
the best man for flying off the handle in Wurtemberg. Be quiet, now:
we'll manage to lay the geometer out some time, and make him forget the
resurrection of the legs."

This counsel prevailed; and, to compensate themselves for their
enforced inaction, they travelled through the village, the College Chap
howling like a whipped dog, and making, as he expressed it, all the
dogs in the houses rebellious.

3.
WEEKDAY LIFE ON SUNDAY.

Next day Crescence did not dress in her Sunday clothes to go to church,
but complained of being unwell, and remained at home.

The tailor, when he came home from church and saw his daughter in
dishabille, said,--

"What's that? Be quiet, I tell you, once and for all," he continued,
seeing Crescence about