"Well—now you puzzle me—I think this will stick, at last."
"Well, I see you don't take any interest in the matter, so I won't waste your time. Perhaps the Bavarians will have recovered possession of the town before bedtime."
"Perhaps so, perhaps so—nothing more likely."
She ran down stairs, laughing. "Just the old story," said she to Leopold; "every man thinking his own affairs of more importance than those of all the world besides. How now, Dolf?" to the boy, who ran in glowing and panting.
"There's fine work, mistress. They're barricading the gates with casks and wagons, and closing all the houses. May I go back?"
"No, no, you must not leave me."
"I'll bring you word every ten minutes how things are going on.—It's so jolly!"
"Well, Dolf, if you will promise me very faithfully indeed to do that, you may go; and I'll give you a cake at supper-time besides. But mind you keep an eye, if you can, on my father."
Away scampered the boy; and Leopold prepared to go too.
"Don't you go," said Alouise. "I shall be afraid."