is hat out of his
hand and refused to return it, well knowing that if the geometer stayed
there would not only be a peaceful dinner, but perhaps also a quart of
beer. This hope was realized. Cordele, the youngest daughter, was sent
to the Eagle, and returned with a bottle under her apron,--a
concealment not owing to any scruple of public opinion on the subject
of temperance, but to that desire to make a secret of every thing which
arises in every village as a foil to the habitual endeavor of everybody
to know every thing about everybody else's business.

Crescence, finely dressed, but with eyes inflamed with weeping, brought
the dinner. To guard against inquiries, she complained of smoke in the
kitchen. Thus the dinner was richly spiced with falsehood. Before the
geometer had half cleared his plate the worthy hostess put another
piece upon it. He thanked her heartily for this hospitality, not
perceiving that the good lady had only removed the savory morsel to
snatch it away from her lord and master, who had honored it with his
preference. From a similar motive, she took such excellent care to keep
the guest's glass replenished that very little of the beverage came to
the tailor's lips. The conversation was carried on by the lady of the
house and the geometer exclusively. When the latter narrated the
insolence of Florian, Crescence blushed, but found an excuse for
leaving the table.

After dinner Balt said, "Now, wife, get in a cup of coffee."

"None for me, I thank you," said the geometer.

The tailor's wife was not so ill-mannered as to press the refreshment
upon her guest against his will, for she grudged her husband his share
of it. She afterward boiled a cup for herself, and toasted a biscuit to
eat with it.

When the afternoon church was over, Crescence could not avoid taking a
walk with the geometer; but she managed to keep clear of the street and
go along the back fences of the gardens. When they approached George's
ninepin-alley, she started with fright on seeing Florian standing there
in his shirt-sleeves with his back to the road. Throwing a piece of
money on the ground, he said, "'Bet you six creutzers I'll make five."
Under the pretext of having forgotten something, Crescence turned round
quickly, and the geometer had nothing to do but to follow her. On
arriving at home, they surprised her mother at her private cup of
coffee,--which was unpleasant. They now took the street of the village.

Florian had