Amid unanimous assurances that “this has been the most enjoyable evening this season,” the leave-taking was finally effected, and the captain accompanied his last guests down the stairs, and returned after shooting the strong bolt at the house door.
As he turned off the gas in the drawing-room, he said to Frau Clara: “Quite interesting, this evening! These are two gentlemen we shall have to be on our guard against.”
FOOTNOTES:
[1] This has reference to the not uncommon habit in German households, especially those of officers and the higher classes, of keeping husband’s and wife’s exchequer strictly separate.—Tr.
[2] “Wine tests.” In the wine-growing districts of Germany men possessed of a delicate “wine tongue” delight in attending public or private meetings where new vintages are sampled and their prices and marketable qualities determined.—Tr.
[3] “My gracious lady”—“Gnädige Frau”—a term of politeness used to-day indiscriminately in Germany toward married women.—Tr.
[4] “Blessed digestion”—“Gesegnete Mahlzeit”—is the universal greeting in Germany after meals.—Tr.
[5] “Casino”; the military club houses are so called.—Ed.