'I am sorry to disturb so busy a man,' said Frau von Lindeberg, bearing down with smiles on this picture of peace. Papa sprang up, and seeing there was no escape pretended to be quite pleased to see her. He offered her his chair, he prayed for indulgence toward his slippers, and sitting down facing her inquired in what way he could be of service. 'I want to know something about the young Englishman who occupies a room in our house,' said Frau von Lindeberg, without losing time. 'You understand that it is not only natural but incumbent on a parent to wish for information in regard to a person dwelling under the same roof.' 'I can give every information,' said Papa readily. 'His name in English is Collins. In German it is _Esel_.' 'Oh really,' said Frau von Lindeberg, taken aback. 'It is, madam,' said Papa, looking very pleasant, as became a man in his own house confronted by a female visitor. 'We have re-christened him. And no array of words with which I am acquainted will express the exactness of his resemblance to that useful but unintelligent beast.' 'Oh really,' said Frau von Lindeberg, not yet recovered. 'The ass, madam, is conspicuous for the narrowness of its understanding. So is Mr. Collins. The ass is exasperating to persons of normal brains. So is Mr. Collins. The ass is lazy in regard to work, and obstinate. So is Mr. Collins. The ass is totally indifferent to study. So is Mr. Collins. The ass has never heard of Goethe. Neither has Mr. Collins. The ass is useful to the poor. So is Mr. Collins. The ass, indeed, is the poor man's most precious possession. So, emphatically, is Mr. Collins.' 'Oh really,' said Frau von Lindeberg again. 'Is there anything more you wish to know?' Papa inquired politely, for she seemed unable immediately to go on. She cleared her throat. 'In what way--in what way is he useful?' she asked. 'Madam, he pays.' 'Yes--of course, of course. You cannot--' she smiled--'be expected to teach him German for nothing.' 'Far from doing that I teach him German for a great deal.' 'Is he--do you know anything about his relations? You understand,' she added, 'that it is not altogether pleasant for a private family like ours to have a strange young man living under the same roof.' 'Understand?' cried Papa. 'I understand it so thoroughly that I most positively refused to have him under this one.' 'Ah--yes,' said Frau von Lindeberg, a Dammerlitz expression coming into her face. 'The cases are not--are not quite--pray tell me, who and what is his father?' 'A respectable man, madam, I should judge.' 'Respectable? And besides respectable?' 'Eminently worthy, I should say from his letters.' 'Ah yes. And--and anything else?' 'Honorable too, I fancy. Indeed, I have not a doubt.' 'Is he of any family?' 'He is of his own family, madam.' 'Ah yes. And did you--did you say he was well off?' 'He is apparently revoltingly rich.'