The four elders talked gravely of the late war, of the prevalence of drunkenness in Zurich, of a sad case of witchcraft at Basle, and of the state of trade in Lausanne and the Pays de Vaud; while the student, listening with respect, contrasted the quietude of this house, looking on the grey evening street, with the bustle and chatter and buffoonery of the inns at which he had lain on his way from Chatillon.

He was in a mood to appraise at the highest all about him, from the demure maid who served them to the cloaked burghers who from time to time passed the window wrapped in meditation.

From a house hard by the sound of the evening psalms came to his ears.

There are moods and places in which to be good seems of the easiest; to err, a thing well-nigh impossible.
The professor was the first to rise and retire; on which the two merchants drew up their seats to the table with an air of relief.

The vintner looked after the retreating figure.