“The Adirondacks. That's geography, Prince. Mountains over in the States, with lovely snowfields. We have a country cottage there, where we go in May. In summer we used to go to the sea-side.”
“At any rate,” he said, “I can testify to your zeal in your studies. You do not like being prevented from arriving punctually at your lectures. I haven't yet asked you whether you reached that one the other day up to time.”
“The other day?”
“Yes, a week or two ago. After the contretemps with the change of guard.”
“Dear, dear, Prince, now you are beginning that too. That story seems to have reached from hut to palace. Had I known what a bother was going to come of it, I would rather have gone three times round the whole Schlossplatz. It even got into the newspapers, I'm told. And now of course the whole town thinks I am a regular fiend for temper and rudeness. But I am the most peaceful creature in the world, and only don't like being ordered about. Am I a fiend, Countess? I demand a truthful answer.”
“No, you're an angel,” said Countess Löwenjoul.
“H'm—angel, that's too much, that's too far the other way, Countess….”
“No,” said Klaus Heinrich, “no, not too far. I entirely believe the Countess….”
“I'm much honoured. But how did your Highness hear about the adventure? Through the newspapers?”