“Not outside of a livery stable,” I answered.
There was a pause. I was thinking of the janitor. It seemed in a sort of way—I admit that I have a sentimental streak in me—a deplorable thing.
“Sit down,” I said presently.
“Thank you,” answered the General, but remained standing.
“All right,” I said, “do it.”
“Thank you,” he repeated, without moving.
“I forgot,” I said. “Perhaps you CAN’T sit down.”
“Not very well,” he answered; “in fact, we Prussian officers”—here he drew himself up higher still—“never sit down. Our uniforms do not permit of it. This inspires us with a kind of Rastlosigkeit.” Here his eyes glittered.
“It must,” I said.
“In fact, with an Unsittlichkeit—an Unverschamtheit—with an Ein-fur-alle-mal-un-dur-chaus—”