But by a fortunate chance I left him alone.
'That is a fine hat of yours, mein Herr,' he said.

He took off his own blue peaked cap, the uniform, I suppose, of the driver of the post-wagon, and laid it on his knee.

The night air ruffled a shock of tow-coloured hair.
Then he calmly took my hat and clapped it on his head.
'With this thing I should be a gentleman,' he said.
I said nothing, but put on his cap and waited.
'That is a noble overcoat, mein Herr,' he went on.

'It goes well with the hat.

It is the kind of garment I have always desired to own.