g words
sooner than the ready, voluble trapper of men.

"You see," the captain began, "what is to be expected from one's own
child in these days of insubordination and rebellion, though my Wawerl
is as firm in her faith as the tower at Tunis of which I was telling
you. But trust experience, Sir Pyramus! It is easier, far easier for you
to exact obedience from a refractory squad of recruits than for a father
to guide his little daughter according to his own will. For look! If it
gets beyond endurance, you can seize the lash, or, if that won't do, a
weapon; but where a fragile girl like that is concerned, we can't give
vent to our rage, and, though she spoils the flavour of our food and
drink by her pouting and fretting, we must say kind words to her into
the bargain. Mine at least spares me the weeping and wailing in which
many indulge, but it is easier to break iron than her obstinacy when
her will differs from that of the person whom, on account of the fourth
commandment, she----"

Pyramus Kogel, with both hands resting on the large basket handle of
his long rapier, had listened to him in silence; now he interrupted the
captain with the exclamation: "Iron against iron, comrade! Throw it into
the fire, and swing the hammer. It will bend then. All that is needed is
the right man, and I know him. If I did not feel very sorry for such a
charming creature, I would laugh at the insult and go my way. But, as it
is, I have a good memory, and it will be a pleasure, methinks, to keep
so unruly a beauty and artistic nightingale in mind. It shall be done
until my turn comes. In my pursuit I do not always succeed at the first
attempt, but whoever I once fix my eyes upon comes on the roll at last,
and I will keep the foremost place open for your lovely, refractory
daughter. We shall meet again, Captain, and I haven't said my last word
to your ungracious daughter either."

He held out his hand to Blomberg as he spoke, and after a brief delay
the latter clasped it.

The fearless foe of the Turks was troubled by the recruiting officer's
mysterious menaces, but his kind heart forbade him to add a new offence
to the bitter mortification inflicted upon this man by his daughter.
Besides, he had taken a special fancy to the stately, vigorous soldier,
whose height and breadth of shoulder were little inferior to his own,
and while descending the stairs he thought, "It would serve Wawerl right
if yonder fellow put a stop to her obstinacy,