“Very good, play it for me!”
Haydn played.
The Englishman put the thirty guineas on the piano, and without saying another word took up his march and walked to the door. Haydn followed him saying: “I composed two more, which I think are better. Let me play them for you and take your choice.”
“The first march pleases me, so that ends it!”
“But listen to the others, perhaps——”
“No, that is impossible!”
The captain hurried down the stairs, Haydn ran after him saying: “Sir, I’ll make you a present of them. You paid me very generously. Do take them!”
The captain hurried still more saying: “It is impossible. I don’t want them!”
“Do let me play them for you!”