"Do not think of that, Mees Ruth. I will teach you myself. I will teach you Latin and Greek, and Sanscrit, if you please. I will read my lectures on philosophy to you, and I will make you '_une femme savante_,' so that you can talk with my brother Professors who will come to see me. You can cook, can you not, Mees Ruth?" "Yes, I know how to cook, but--" "Ah, that is well," said the Professor, in a tone of satisfaction. "All the German ladies can cook. Frau von Bismarck, the wife of my old friend, is an excellent cook. I haf dined at Bismarck's house." "But," said Ruth, firmly, "I can not think of becoming your wife, Prof. Poppendorf." "Ach, so!" said the Professor, in a tone of disappointment. "Do not make such a mistake, my dear Mees Ruth. Is it nothing to become Mrs. Professor Poppendorf. You will take a good place in society. For I assure you that I am well known among scholars. I am now busy on a great work on philosophy, which will extend my fame. I will make you proud of your husband." "Indeed, Prof. Poppendorf, I do not doubt your learning or your fame, but I can not marry a man old enough to be my grandfather." "So, I am not so sure about that. I am old enough to be your father, but--" "Never mind! We will not argue the point. I hope you will say no more. I can not marry you." "Ah! is there another? Haf I a rival?" demanded the Professor, frowning fiercely. "It is that Dr. Fenwick?" "No, it is not." "I do not think he would care to marry you." "And I don't want to marry him, though I think him a very nice young gentleman." "Who is it, then?" "If you must know," said Ruth, pettishly, "it is that young man who took supper with us not long ago." "The young man from the country?" "Yes." "But what do you see in him, Mees Ruth. He is a _yokel_." "A what?" "He is a very worthy young man, I do not doubt, but what does he know? He is a farmer, is he not, with no ideas beyond his paternal acres?" "Prof. Poppendorf, I will not have you speak so of my Stephen," said Ruth, while a wave of anger passed over her face. "Ah, that is his name. Stephen. Pardon, Mees Ruth! I do not wish to say anything against this rural young man, but he will never give you the position which I offer you." "Perhaps not, but I like him better." "Ach, so. Then is my dream at an end; I did hope to have you for my frau, and haf a happy home and a loving companion in my declining years." His tone seemed so mournful that Ruth was touched with pity and remorse. "Prof. Poppendorf," she said, gently, "you must not be too much disappointed. There are many who would appreciate the honor of marrying you. Why do you not ask Mrs. Wyman?" "She is a butterfly--a flirt. I would not marry her if there were no other woman living." The young woman from Macy's quite agreed with the Professor, and it was not without satisfaction that she heard him express himself in this manner. "Well," she continued, "then there is Miss Blagden. She is of a more suitable age."