"Nor I a Lippe, no matter how much Aunt Vicky cracks up Adolph's family."
"Now then, all together," declaimed the Crown Prince. "We, Princes Wilhelm, Eitel, Albert, Augustus and Oscar of Prussia, solemnly swear not to have wives imposed upon us for reasons of State or politics, father's threats, entreaties and personal interests notwithstanding."
The boys repeated the impromptu troth word for word. "Shake on that," said Wilhelm, holding out his hand. And the agreement was so ratified. Then another round of beer on the Duke of Oels.
As the Princes were draining their Seidels—conspicuous for the emblem of the Borussia Students' Club of Bonn University on the cover—a low whistle was heard outside.
"The mater," whispered Oscar.
"Push the Seidels into the centre," commanded the Crown Prince, helping vigorously. He pushed a concealed button and the centre of the table with its contents disappeared through an opening in the floor, while another set with glasses of lemonade and cakes shot into its place, the floor likewise filling up again.
The Princes were petrified with amazement. "Duplicate of the Barbarina table de confiance," explained the big brother; "had it secretly copied and installed without my Grand Master being the wiser."
This sort of table was invented by Frederick the Great for tête-à-tête confidences with Barbarina, the famous Italian beauty.
The sight of the lemonade made the Empress radiant. "And I had been told that you were up to all sorts of tricks," she said apologetically. And to the Crown Prince: "I am so glad you are setting your younger brothers a good example."
"Always, mother, always," vowed Wilhelm. "Believe me, if these boys were as abstemious as I, they would save fortunes out of their lieutenant's allowance."