"I am glad you think so, sir, for I hope you will stay long with us, and be so well pleased that you will come again."
"I shall certainly remain with you, if I ever come back again, for I like both you and your good frau. But to-morrow I must away to Berlin on business."
"So soon?"
"Yes. My life is made up of business and pleasure. Business must have an inning now."
"I am sorry, sir," said the old man, sadly.
"Oh, well; others will come."
"Visitors are rare here, sir. Now and then a poor artist stops here, and sometimes tourists wander this way; but it is a life-time rarity to meet with a rich cosmopolitan like yourself, who is willing to help us along a bit."
"But you must be well off in any event."
"No, sir; although we should be if the thousand marks' mortgage was paid off."
"When it is due?"