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Thus the Emperor would utter his harangues, so the martial burgher, with instinctive imitation, was contracting his left arm, supporting his hand upon the hilt of an invisible sword.
In spite of his fierce and oratorical gesture of command, all the listening Germans laughed uproariously at his first words, like men who knew how to appreciate the sacrifice of a Herr Comerzienrath when he deigns to divert a festivity.
"He is saying very witty things about the French," volunteered the interpreter in a low voice, "but they are not offensive." Julio had guessed as much upon hearing repeatedly the word Franzosen.
He almost understood what the orator was saying--"Franzosen--great children, light-hearted, amusing, improvident.

The things that they might do together if they would only forget past grudges!" The attentive Germans were no longer laughing.