"You know, I suppose, that the doctor saved my father when his life was despaired of?"
"I know; but there are many physicians who have saved lives and who do not find such a noble return."
These words of acknowledgment had something in them very offensive to the assessor. He opened and shut his eyes and mouth, and cast a grudging, envious look at Richard.
The servant brought a glass.
"Try this wine," said Siegwart; "my own growth," he added with some pride.
They touched glasses. Hamm put his glass to his lips, without drinking; Frank tasted the noble liquor with the air of a connoisseur; while Siegwart's smiling gaze rested on him.
"Excellent! I do not remember to have drank better Burgundy."
"Real Burgundy, neighbor—real Burgundy. I brought the vines from France."
"Do you not think the vines degenerate with us?" said Frank.