They Danced to His Music
In May, 1891, a curious circumstance which, having occurred just before Bismarck’s fall, might have indicated to him how slippery was the ground on which he trod. He went one day to see the Emperor, who was busy, and who sent word that he would see the Chancellor presently. Ere long the royal children came in, and insisted upon his dancing with them. “No,” said Bismarck, “I am too old to dance with you.” “Then you must play,” they said. He accordingly sat down to the piano. Pretty soon the Emperor came in, and, finding him thus engaged said: “So, here is the fourth generation of the Hohenzollerns, which has to dance to your playing.”