The steward muttered something.
"What would you do in that case?" asked Zaklika.
"It would be a devilish temptation," answered the steward. "I would do as Luther did, I would throw the inkstand at the devil!"
But he smiled.
"Suppose someone should offer you thirty thalers?" asked Zaklika.
"For thirty thalers they would hang me," laughed the steward.
"But it is not a crime to let the Countess talk for a few minutes with a friend. However," continued Zaklika, "we are talking just in fun; but I am sure just the same that someone would give you even fifty thalers."
The steward looked at him with wide-open eyes and stroked his beard. The thought of getting fifty thalers intoxicated him.
"If you know someone who would give me fifty thalers, then tell him to come and see me," answered the German.
"Here he is," answered Zaklika.