Page:The German Novelists (Volume 3).djvu/73

 gage, he cast a reproachful look upon his servants: “What have you missed, young man?” he shouted to our hero, as he drew nigh.—“Why don’t you pursue your journey?”

“I wish to say one word, Sir Knight:—you will excuse me:—but a malicious report has gone abroad, severely aspersing your hospitable fame. It is no less than that, although you regale your guests well, you make a practice of cuffing them well before you permit them to depart. On the faith of this, I confess I did all in my power to merit the custom, yet you have let me go away in peace, without paying the usual hard reckoning. How is this! can there be any truth in such a report, or may I henceforth give the vile libellers the lie?”

“No!” replied the Knight, “Fame in this case has only spoken truth:—no sayings among the people are ever quite destitute of foundation. But I will explain the affair to you, if you will alight!” “Thank you,” replied Frank, “but, as I am mounted, I will listen where I am.”—“Do so,” said the Knight, with a smile; “I will not detain you long. Every stranger who approaches my gates, shares my table and my wine; but I am a simple German of the old school, I speak as I think, and I wish my guests to be as open and cheerful as myself; enjoy all I give them, and speak out, and ask for every