"Oh, warum wasn't the Club founded before I married?" groaned the old German. "Himmel, vat a terrible mistake! It is to her I owe it that I am de most celebrated aeronaut in der ganzeu welt. It is the only profession in wich I escape her gewiss. She haf de kopf too veak to rise mit me. Ah, when I come oop here, it is Himmel."
"Rather taking an unfair rise out of your partner, isn't it?" queried the Moon-man with a sickly smile.
"And vat vould you haf done in—was sagt man—in my shoes?"
The Moon-man winced.
"Not put them on."
"You are not yourself married?"
The Moon-man winced.
"No, I'm only engaged."
"Mein herr," said the old German solemnly, "I haf nodings but drouble from you. You make to me mein life von burden. But I cannot see you going to de altar widout putting out de hand to safe you. It was stupid to yourself engage at all—but, now dat you haf committed de mistake, shtick to it!"
"How do you mean?"