"I had an estimate made at Berlin of what is due me--principal and interest." "Interest!" cried Meiser.

"But in what country, in what latitude, do people pay interest on money?
Perhaps it may sometimes happen in business, but between friends--never, no never, my good Monsieur Colonel! What would my good uncle, who is now gazing upon us from heaven, say, if he knew that you were claiming interest on his bequest ?" "Now shut up, Nickle!" interrupted his wife.

"Monsieur Colonel is just about telling you, himself, that he did not intend to be understood as speaking of the interest." "Why in the name of great guns don't you both shut up, you confounded magpies?
Here I am dying of hunger, and I didn't bring my nightcap to go to bed here, either!---- Now here's the upshot of the matter: You owe me a great deal; but it's not an even sum--there are fractions in it, and I go in for clean transactions.

Moreover, my tastes are modest.

I've enough for my wife and myself; nothing more is needed than to provide for my son!" "Very well," cried Meiser; "I'll charge myself with the education of the little fellow!" "Now, during the dozen days since I again became a citizen of the world, there is one word that I've heard spoken everywhere.