They knew it was only here that great things happened, the division of riches and mob-rule.

Beer was cheaper by the keg.
The noise subsided.

Gretchen spoke.
"Her serene highness will not marry the king of Jugendheit." Every head swung round in her direction.
"What is that you say ?" demanded Herr Goldberg.
Gretchen repeated her statement.

It was the first time she had ever raised her voice in the councils.
"Oh, indeed!" said Goldberg, bowing with ridicule: "Since when did her serene highness make you her confidante ?" "Her serene highness told me so herself." Gretchen's eyes, which had held only mildness and good-will, now sparkled with contempt.
A roar of laughter went up, for the majority of them thought that Gretchen was indulging in a little pleasantry.
"Ho-ho! So you are on speaking terms with her highness ?" Herr Goldberg laughed.
"Is there anything strange in this fact ?" she asked, keeping her tones even.
The vintner made a sign to her, but she ignored it.
"Strange ?" echoed Herr Goldberg, becoming furious at having the interest in himself thus diverted.

"Since when did goose-girls and barmaids become on intimate terms with her serene highness ?" Gretchen pressed the vintner's arm to hold him in his chair.
"Does not your socialism teach that we are all equal ?" The vintner thumped with his stein in approval, and others imitated him.
Goldberg was no ordinary fool.