"You majesty, in order to live somewhat respectably, I should
require four hundred thousand dollars yearly."

"That is not true, not possible!" exclaimed the king.

"That is so very possible, sire, that I hardly know whether it would
suffice or not."

"Gentlemen, do you believe that?" asked the king.

"I, for my part, have not the fourth part of this income," said the
Duke of Holstein, smiling.

"I not the tenth!" said Count Von der Goltz.

"And I not the twentieth!" exclaimed General Von Schwerin and Count
Hacke at the same time.

"And yet," said the king, "you all live as respected cavaliers, as
esteemed gentlemen of my court. Let us hear how Pollnitz would
manage to spend so much money. Quick, Jochen, quick, give us a sheet
of paper and a pencil."

The valet hastily executed this commission, and handed the king
paper and pencil.

"Fill the glasses, Jochen," ordered the king, "and then seat
yourself at the foot of the table, and pay attention to what Von
Pollnitz is about to explain. It is worth the trouble to learn how