"I am silent," said he; "and attentive--speak on!"
Pan Gideon took a draught from the glass and looked from his iron eyes with some discontent at the prelate, because the latter had not eased his conversation by a proper beginning.
"Hm! somehow it is not easy; I see that it is more difficult than I imagined."
"Then I will help you. Did you wish to speak of some holy thing?"
"Of a holy thing?"
"Yes; which has two heads and four feet."
"What sort of holy thing is that?" asked Pan Gideon, astonished.
"I mention a riddle. Guess it."
"My dear prelate, whoso has important affairs in his head has no time for riddles."
"Pshaw! Think a while!"