"Beer is a very good thing," said the Professor, gravely. "There were not many of the students who could drink as much as Bismarck."
"And did Bismarck care for young ladies?"
"I should think so. I had a duel with Bismarck myself about a young mädchen."
More than one of the boarders smiled. It was so difficult to associate the gray old Professor with anything that savored of gallantry.
"Oh, yes," he continued, "Bismarck was the devil among the girls."
"Oh, Professor, I am shocked! You should not use such a word as devil at the table."
"What, then, do you call him?" asked Prof. Poppendorf.
"He is not mentioned in polite society. But tell us about the duel—were you wounded?"
"You see that scar," said the Professor, pointing to a slight disfigurement of his left cheek. "That was given me by Bismarck."
"Oh, how interesting! It is almost like seeing Bismarck himself."