If the students were his purse, Johann was his budget of news.
"You ask that ?" surlily.

"You knew I had money; you knew that I was off somewhere spending it--God knows where, I don't.

Another bottle of wine.
There's enough left from the gold to pay for it." Stuler complied.

Johann's thirst seemed in no way assuaged; but soon the sullen expression, the aftermath of his spree, was replaced by one of reckless jollity.

His eyes began to sparkle.
"A great game, Stuler; they're playing a great game, and you and I will be in at the reaping.