“What!” says I, “you who are to die in half an hour requiring a meal!”
I was astonished that the imminence of death did not affect him. But then I had no need to be, for there was scarce a trait in his strange character they did not pass quite outside of my experience.
“Now tell me more about your life,” says I, “you charming young adventurer.”
His answer was a droll expression; and he shook his head and placed a finger on his lips to remind me of his vow of silence. And he would not speak another word of any kind until I had sent Emblem to smuggle up some food and to enquire whether the soldiers had yet begun their search.
When she had gone, I said: “Suppose, my lad, you proved, after all, to be a person of high consideration, deserted by your parents for State reasons or matters of that sort. We read of such things in the story-books, you know.”
“Not I,” says he, with his delicious gravity. “I know quite well I am not that. I am a person of low tastes.”
Here he sighed.
“They might be the fruits of your education,” says I, tenaciously, for I love aught that seems at all romantic or mysterious. “Let me hear them, sir, for I believe I am well fitted to pronounce a verdict thereupon.”
“For one thing,” says he, “I am fond of cheese.”
“How barbarous!” says I.