"Then why don't you like your position?"
The youth looked confused.
"I have nothing to do," said he, "and it worries me.
"It's strange!" said the fool, "you have plenty of bread, and you are searching for misery. But I don't see how I could be useful to you."
"Very easily. I very frequently stand by the door; by some witty saying you could draw the King's attention towards me, and when he is in a good humour he has different fancies."
"Suppose he has a fancy to shoot you?"
"You would protect me."
"Donnerwetter!" exclaimed the fool, "for the first time in my life I see that I am a man of importance, for people come to ask me for protection. You have opened my eyes. Out of pure gratitude I should like to do something for you! Who knows! They say that Kyan is to be appointed commandant of Königstein, then I could at least become Court preacher! I grow ambitious!"
And having seated himself again in an arm-chair, he began to laugh, at the same time looking pityingly on the young man.
"The end of the world! Donnerwetter! A Polish noble asks a fool for protection, and the Swedes, who eat herrings, beat the Saxons."