You had best retire." "I refuse.

They may be thirsty." "I'll see to that," I laughed.
"But--" she began.
"Oh, Gretchen wishes to see new faces," said I, with chagrin.
"If it pleases you, sir," mischievously.
"What if they are looking for--for--" "That is the very reason why I wish to see them." "You are determined ?" "I am." "Very well," said I; "you had best eat an onion." "And for what purpose ?" "As a preventive to offensive tactics," looking slyly at her.
Her laugh rang out mockingly.
"Do you not know that aside from dueling, the German lives only for his barmaid, his beer and his knoblauch?
Nevertheless, since you wish it I will eat one--for your sake." "For my sake ?" I cried in dismay.

"Heaven forfend!" "Does Herr----" "Jack," said I.
"Does Herr Jack think," her eyes narrowing till naught but a line of their beautiful blue-green could be seen, "that one of those would dare take a liberty with me ?" "I hope he will not.

I should have the unpleasant duty of punching his head." If I could not kiss Gretchen nobody else should.
"You are very strong." "Yes; and there are some things which add threefold to a man's strength." "Such as -- --" She looked at me daringly.
"Yes, such as -- --" Her eyes fell before my glance, A delicate veil of rose covered her face for a moment.

I wondered if she knew that it was only because I clinched my fists till the nails cut, that I did not do the very thing I feared the stragglers coming down the road might do.
"Come," said I, peremptorily; "there is no need of your welcoming them here." So we entered the inn; and she began furbishing up the utensils, just to tease me more than anything else.
Outside there was a clatter of hoofs, the chink of the spur, intermingled with a few oaths; and then the two representatives of the King came in noisily.