"What for?" asked von Stielow.
"She must know if he is of age and free to spend his money," said Matras.
"Matras is always thinking of money, poor fellow! he has so little," she cried, "but no, that's not it. You see I made up my mind, my lover and I should never have more than fifty years between us, and so the older I get the younger must be my lover, to make me quite sure that he has no more years than fall to his share. I have made up my mind, and I shall always stick to it."
They all laughed.
"Then you will soon come to swaddling clothes," remarked old Grois drily.
"Papa Grois," cried she, "don't make such bad jokes; I have enough of them, from 'swaddling clothes' to 'experienced persons.'"
"And where is the Grobecker?" asked Knaak.
"She has quarrelled with her duke," said Doctor Herzel.
"What again, already?"
"She maintains he is making love to little Pepi, and she will not have it."