The Prince—who was very off-handed in his ways, and not very particular as to the company he kept, or to the number of his attachments, as the Opposition papers said—hailed the stout, sleek-headed man.
"Whither wanderest thou, my friend?" said Mathias to the loafer.
"I tramp about the world in search of happiness," quoth he.
"You're not a German philosopher, I hope?" asked the Prince, terror-stricken.
"I'm a true-born Dutchman, sir," retorted the loafer, with much dignity.
"Give us your paw," said His Highness.
The friends shook hands.
"What's your trade, my man?"
"Well, I'm a kind of Jack-of-all-trades, without any trade in particular—and yours?"
"I'll be a kind of general overseer some day or other."