"Why didn't you do it?" asked Cloten, angrily.
"I do not like to get into trouble in a strange establishment; I have had to pay for it often enough," replied the philosophic nobleman, pouring the rest of the bottle into his glass.
Then followed a pause, after which Cloten cried out with much vehemence: "I don't believe a word of it."
Barnewitz shrugged his shoulders.
"That's the best for you to do."
"Don't say so! I won't have it!" exclaimed Cloten, furiously.
"I only say what the world says," replied Barnewitz, sipping his wine leisurely.
"And you think the world says nothing about you?" asked Cloten, ironically.
"What do they say about me?" cried Barnewitz, starting up. "---- the fellow who dares say a word; and I think you, of all men, ought to be most careful not to open your mouth."
"Careful or not, I don't see why I should not talk as well as you."