Part 44 (2/2)

Never saw a poet--never saw a princess! Why, you're learning a heap of things to-day!

The Princess (_a.s.senting_).

H'm--And have you written poems to her?

Strubel.

Why, that goes without saying! Quant.i.ties of 'em!

The Princess.

Oh, please recite some little thing--won't you?

Strubel.

No, not yet. Everything at the proper time.

The Princess.

Ah, yes, first I should like to see the princess.

Strubel.

No, first I am going to tell you the whole story.

The Princess.

Oh, yes, yes. Please do. (_Sits down._)

Strubel.

Well, then--I had hardly heard that she was here before I was dead in love with her. It was just as quick as a shot, I tell you. Just as if I had waited all my life long to fall in love with her. Besides, I also heard about her beauty--and her sorrow. You see, she had an early love affair.

The Princess (_disconcerted_).

What? Are they saying that?

Strubel.

Yes. It was a young officer who went to Africa because of her--and died there.

The Princess.

And they know that, too?

Strubel.

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