he had bought
while abroad for his colleagues, Specht proposed that they should all
sit cross-legged on the sofas and on the floors, in true Turkish
fashion. This proposal fell through. Also, when he next asserted that,
as our commerce with the East increased, the Circassian maidens sold by
their parents to Turkish families would soon come over and play the part
of waitresses in Bavarian beer-shops, he evidently failed to carry
conviction to any of the party. But the gentle influences of the
pumpkin-bowl gradually told upon the severe intellects of the
counting-house.

First of all, the musical members of the firm were reconciled. Anton
proposed the health of the quartette. The quartette returned thanks in
some embarrassment, having been dissolved for about a month. It came
out, however, from certain dark hints given by the first bass, that
Specht had been unreasonable in his demands upon them. He had wished to
make use of the quartette to serenade the charming Zillibi, the _prima
donna_ of the circus; and when the basses declined, Specht had flown
into a violent passion, and sworn he would never sing with them till
they consented.

"If he had been content to serenade her in the evening," said Balbus,
"we might, perhaps, have given in for the sake of peace, but he
maintained that it must be at four o'clock in the morning, as it was
then that the riding-master rose to feed his horses. That was too much.
Meanwhile the lady ran off with a Bajazzo."

"That is not true," cried Specht; "the Bajazzo carried her off by
force."

"At all events, it has been a fortunate incident for us," said Anton,
"as it releases these gentlemen from the observance of their vows. I see
no reason, therefore, why they should any longer deprive us of the
enjoyment their musical talents are so calculated to afford. From what I
hear, my dear Specht, you were a little hasty; so make such an apology
to these gentlemen as becomes a man of honor, and then I shall propose
the instant re-establishment of the quartette."

Specht rose accordingly, and said, "Adopting the advice of my friend
Wohlfart, I now beg to apologize to you all, and am, moreover, ready to
give you satisfaction in any way that you prefer." Whereupon he tossed
off his glass, and vehemently shook hands with the basses.

After that the music-books were brought out, and the four voices sounded
remarkably well out of the arbor. A reconciliation with Pix still
remained to be effected