The German answered him with the curt rudeness which was the common official tone in old days, and finally, impatiently told the applicant to go.

The Alsatian first opened his eyes in astonishment, and then--suddenly--flamed up.

"_What!_--you think nothing is changed ?--that you are the masters here as you used to be--that you can treat us as you used to treat us?
We'll show you?
We are the masters now.

Get out of that chair!--Give it me!--while I talk to you.

Behave civilly to me, _ou je vais vous flanquer un coup dans le dos!_" And the Alsatian went threateningly forward.