Page:The Prisoner of Zenda.djvu/53

Rh a good knife and fork, as my custom is; the king noticed my performance with approval.

"We're all good trenchermen, we Elphbergs," said he. "But what?—we're eating dry! Wine, Josef! wine, man! Are we beasts, to eat without drinking? Are we cattle, Josef?" At this reproof Josef hastened to load the table with bottles.

"Remember to-morrow!" said Fritz.

"Aye—to-morrow!" said old Sapt.

The king drained a bumper to his "Cousin Rudolf," as he was gracious—or merry—enough to call me; and I drank its fellow to the "Elphberg red," whereat he laughed loudly.

Now, be the meat what it might, the wine we drank was beyond all price or praise, and we did it justice. Fritz ventured once to stay the king's hand.

"What?" cried the king. "Remember you start before I do, Master Fritz—you must be more sparing by two hours than I."

Fritz saw that I did not understand.

"The colonel and I," he explained, "leave here