"That is exactly what I told her. She begged, she besought me; at last she fell on her knees. I remained firm like the Colossus before us. Then she sprang up, and arming herself with all the pride of England, and raising her hand to the starry heavens, she exclaimed: 'Sir, either you cut off your beard or I must cut your acquaintance.'"
"Then cut my acquaintance," said I.
"Famous!" said Cloten. "What did she do?"
"Oh, nothing! Apropos, who is that young man with whom you were talking just now? There he is, standing near the door, with old Grenwitz."
"Well, guess?"
"How can I guess? I suppose it is his nephew, Felix."
"That is what I thought. And now just think, cher baron, the man is a fellow of low birth, not noble at all; his name is Stein, Doctor Stein, I believe, and he is--well, guess again!"
"From the horror in your face I should conclude that he was the son of the executioner of Bergen."
"Executioner! Quelle idée! What strange notions you and Frau von Berkow always have! No--tutor at Grenwitz. Is not that wonderful?"
"I do not see anything wonderful in that. There must be tutors in the world, as there must be laborers in the arsenic mines, although I should not like to be the one or the other."