"Now I want to tell you something--"
"Very well; out with it."
"I'm in trouble about Irmgard--"
"You needn't worry about her. I watch her as if she was the apple of my eye. Make yourself quite easy on that score."
"Yes, uncle, I know all about that; but there are some awful wicked people in the world, and they'll follow you up to the very mountain-tops--"
"Yes, I know; the gend'arme often--"
"Uncle, do listen to me patiently!"
"Yes, yes; I'm not saying a word."
"Well, uncle, mother knew who Irmgard is."
"And so do I. You needn't tell me anything about that. I know her, out and out. I'm not so stupid, depend on that."