Through Thick and Thin
King Frederick William IV was always a most gay and amiable host. Once at a ball he stood in the ball-room talking to a very tall and very slender gentleman. Suddenly, an officer of the hussars, in the whirl of the dance, chased with his partner right between the two. The officer frightened to death, stops at once and excuses himself.
“Never mind,” said the King, laughing; “don’t excuse yourself; a hussar must necessarily go through thick and thin.”