cessant changes and innovations are almost enough to turn
one's brain,' said Gerhard, while Alf was pouring water upon his hands
with which he carefully washed his face and arms.

At the same time Dilbek continued: 'I bring to the lord treasurer the
invitation of his majesty to repair immediately to the royal palace, to
receive further commands.'

'My black dress suit, Susanna!' cried Gerhard, looking into the sitting
room; 'my mantle, my plumed cap, my golden chain and sword!'

'Is your name nevertheless still called Kippenbrock?' asked Alf,
significantly, by way of reminding his fickle kinsman, of his former
protestations.

'Hold your tongue!' cried the new treasurer, as with inconceivable
celerity (notwithstanding his corpulency) he encased himself in the
official robes which his wife with joyful surprise had brought him.

'If it be agreeable to you, my lord steward,' said Gerhard to Dilbek,
'I will now accompany you to the king's majesty.'

'I commend myself to you, lady treasurer,' said Dilbek with a profound
bow to the butcher's wife, and the two lords of the new kingdom
departed.

'Now is Munster indeed wholly mad,' said Alf, 'and my worthy kinsman
with the rest. If I were only so myself, I should feel better than I
now do in my clear moments.'

CHAPTER XIII.

About mid-day some time afterwards, Alf came from his workshop to the
parlor. The dinner already smoked upon the table; but his two elected
brides were standing at the window eagerly examining some pieces of
money which Tuiskoshirer was showing to them. Alf approached the group.

'The gold and silver money which the new king has caused to be coined,'
said Tuiskoshirer in a friendly and honied tone, laying a couple of
pieces in his hand. Alf read on the reverse:

'The Word has become flesh and dwells amongst us. Whosoever is not born
of water and of the Spirit cannot enter into the kingdom of God. One
king over us, one God, one Faith, one Baptism. At Munster, 1534.'

'That is God's government, may it soon extend over the whole world!'
sighed Tuiskoshirer, most religiously rolling up his eyes.

'Under these kings we shall soon arrive at the pinnacle of prosperity!'
exclaimed Eliza, turning over the money in Alf's hand. On the other
side, the wild inspired face of the prophet, in his kingly dress,
boldly cut and well resembling the original, presented itself to the
eyes of the beholder.

Alf looked upon the