t."

"Why so?"

"Because, the other day, there arrived from Berlin a German and his
wife--persons of some importance; and, it chanced that, when taking a
walk, I spoke to them in German without having properly compassed the
Berlin accent."

"Indeed?"

"Yes: and this action on my part the Baron held to be an insult, and
complained about it to the General, who yesterday dismissed me from his
employ."

"But I suppose you must have threatened that precious Baron, or
something of the kind? However, even if you did so, it was a matter of
no moment."

"No, I did not. The Baron was the aggressor by raising his stick at me."

Upon that the Grandmother turned sharply to the General.

"What? You permitted yourself to treat your tutor thus, you nincompoop,
and to dismiss him from his post? You are a blockhead--an utter
blockhead! I can see that clearly."

"Do not alarm yourself, my dear mother," the General replied with a
lofty air--an air in which there was also a tinge of familiarity. "I am
quite capable of managing my own affairs. Moreover, Alexis Ivanovitch
has not given you a true account of the matter."

"What did you do next?" The old lady inquired of me.

"I wanted to challenge the Baron to a duel," I replied as modestly as
possible; "but the General protested against my doing so."

"And WHY did you so protest?" she inquired of the General. Then she
turned to the landlord, and questioned him as to whether HE would not
have fought a duel, if challenged. "For," she added, "I can see no
difference between you and the Baron; nor can I bear that German visage
of yours." Upon this the landlord bowed and departed, though he could
not have understood the Grandmother's compliment.

"Pardon me, Madame," the General continued with a sneer, "but are duels
really feasible?"

"Why not? All men are crowing cocks, and that is why they quarrel. YOU,
though, I perceive, are a blockhead--a man who does not even know how
to carry his breeding. Lift me up. Potapitch, see to it that you always
have TWO bearers ready. Go and arrange for their hire. But we shall not
require more than two, for I shall need only to be carried upstairs. On
the level or in the street I can be WHEELED along. Go and tell them
that, and pay them in advance, so that they may show me some respect.
You too, Potapitch, are always to come with me, and YOU, Alexis
Ivanovitch, are to point out to me this Baron as we go along, in order
that I may get a squint