"I like to hear their talk! I'll listen, drinking your wine and thanking you, sir! and riding home I'll make a song about them." He sat with his arm over the chair-back, his right hand now lifting and now lowering the wine-glass.

He had a look of strength and inner pleasure that rested and refreshed.
"What are they saying now ?" asked Strickland.
The soldiers made the center of attention.

More or less all in the room harkened to their talk, disconnected, obscure, idle, and boisterous as much of it was.

The revenue officer, by virtue of being also the king's paid man, had claimed comrade's right and was drinking with them and putting questions.

He was so obliging as to ask these in a round tone of voice and to repeat on the same note the information gathered.
"Recruits for the King's army, fighting King Louis on the river Main .-- Where's that ?--It's in Germany.