human
Twonette will tell you,
gpt
What shall I tell him?
human
You will tell him what I want him to do quickly, at once, immediately, pleaded Yolanda.
gpt
You know what I have waited for this long, weary time.
human
Tell him yourself what you want quickly, at once, immediately, answered Twonette.
gpt
I, too, have wants.
human
What do you want, daughter?
gpt
I want thirty ells of blue velvet for a gown, and I want you to ask permission of the duke for me to wear it.
human
Many noble ladies would not dare to ask so much of the duke,
gpt
It is true, George, said Frau Kate,
human
I also want--
gpt
You shall wear the duke's own color, purple, if you will hold your tongue about worthless matters and tell your father what I want,
human
You tell him your own wants, answered Twonette, pouting.
gpt
Then perhaps his own daughter may have his ear for a moment or two.
human
Well, uncle, since I must tell my own tale, I will begin, said Yolanda, blushing.
gpt
I want you to go to The Mitre and ask a friend--two friends--of yours here to supper this evening. I have waited a weary time for you to give this invitation, and I will not wait another hour, nay, not another minute. We have a fat peacock that longs to be killed; it is so fat that it is tired of life. We have three pheasants that will die of grief if they are not baked at once. I myself have been feeding them this fortnight past in anticipation of this feast. We have a dozen wrens for a live pie, so tame they will light on our heads when you cut the crust. We shall have a famous feast, uncle. There will be present only tante, you, Twonette, our two guests, and myself. Now, uncle, the wine is consumed. Hurry to the inn.
human
My dear child, said Castleman, seriously,
gpt
Ah, uncle, please tell me why,
human
Because you must see no more of this very pleasing young man, answered Castleman.
gpt
I yielded to your wishes at Basel and brought him with us; I was compelled to send him with you from Metz; but now that our journey is over, I shall thank him and pay him an additional sum, since my goods are safe home, and say farewell to him. I believe he is a worthy and honorable young man, but we do not know who he is, and if we did--
human
Ah, but _I_ know who he is, interrupted Yolanda, tossing her head.
gpt
Do you know? asked Castleman.
human
Pray tell me of him. The information was refused me; at least, it was not given. He is probably of noble birth, but we have nobles here in Peronne whom we would not ask to our house. We know nothing of this wandering young Max, save that he is honest and brave and good to look upon.
gpt
In God's name, uncle, what more would you ask in a man? cried Yolanda, stamping her foot.
human
Did you coax all this information out of him, you little witch?
gpt
I did not, retorted Yolanda, leaning forward and lifting her chin defiantly.
human
I learned it soon after we reached Basel. I discovered it by--by magic--by sorcery. He will tell you as much.
gpt
By the magic of your eyes and smiles. That's the way you wheedled it out of him, and that's the way you coax every one to your will,
human
I never saw a girl make such eyes at a man as you made at this Sir Max,
gpt
Twonette, you are prettier with your mouth shut. Silence becomes you, retorted Yolanda, favoring Twonette with a view of her back.
human
Now, uncle, continued Yolanda,
gpt
I will obey your commands in all else, Yolanda, but not in this.