"Well, what are you laughing at?" he demanded, looking squarely at the group of boys.
One of them waved his hand airily in answer. "At the magnificence of our new little Brunswicker," he answered mockingly.
"So? And are you accustomed to laugh at magnificence?" The boy's brows were bent and his lips had set in a very stern line.
"When it amuses us we laugh," put in one of the others.
"Then I'd have you know it's ill manners to laugh, and I'll teach you better as soon as we get schlägers in our hands."
"And who may you be?" asked the one who had spoken first.
"My name is Otto von Bismarck. I come from Prussia, and I'm a new student here."
"And which of us will you fight?"
"I'll fight you all. Send your man to me at my room, and I'll agree on any time and place." Then, with his head held very high the boy walked on, and the great Dane followed at his heels.
"Bismarck?" said one of the Hanover boys to the others. "It seems to me I've heard of him. They say he's splendid company."