The major-domo, seeing the humor of his master, tried to calm him by recalling his more successful sport.
"I can understand that my lord may be displeased when he has had bad luck, for he is not used to it; but—"
"Well, well," said the baron, in a harsh tone, "take the venison from the spit, and give me my supper, for I am as hungry as the devil. This boar led us through the forest of Harterassen; then the dogs gave out before a hedge so thick that one should have the hide of a wild boar itself to penetrate it." . . .
"My lord sees, then, that it is not altogether the fault of his brave dogs. But my lord is wet through; if he would but change his clothes." . . .
"Change my clothes! and why would you have me change, Master Selbitz the tender-skinned?" cried the governor, wrathfully; "do you take me for a silly woman, for a Frenchman? Do I change my clothes when I return from the chase? Do my dogs change? do my horses change?"
"No, of course not, my lord, but your clothes smoke on your body, like Dame Wilhelmina's tub when she is making the washing lye." . . .
"That shows that they are drying, and the dampness is leaving them!"
"But, my lord". . .
"But, hold your tongue, Master Selbitz the blockhead, Master Selbitz the babbler, and give me a mug of kirchenwasser."
Then, seeing the letter which was on his plate, the baron asked: