Christian, but to-day my uncle was ill to please; neither look nor word
had he for his heart's darling, Ann; and when he presently recovered
somewhat, be stormed around, with so red a face and such furious ire
that we feared lest he should have another dizzy stroke, saying "that
Kubbeling and Cousin Maud might be ashamed of themselves, inasmuch as
they were old enough to know better and were acting like a pair of
young madcaps." And thus he went on, till it was overmuch for the
Brunswicker's endurance, and on a sudden he cried out in great wrath that
that he had promised was in truth not wise, forasmuch as that he would
gain nought but mischief thereby, yet that it concerned him alone and he
took it all on himself, although Master Pfinzing might yet ask for why
and to what end he should risk a hurt by it, whereas, to his knowledge,
the ill-starred Junker Schopper could be little more to him than the man
in the moon. He was wont, quoth he, to take good care not to risk his
skin for other folks, but in this matter it seemed to him not too dear a
bargain. Neither the stoutest will nor the strongest fist might avail
against Mistress Ursula, the veriest witch in all the land of Egypt;
a better head was needed for that, than the heavy brain-pan which God
Almighty had set on his short neck, and yet he had sworn to bring her
knavery to nought. Our faithful hearts and shrewd heads would be the aid
he needed. He trusted to Cousin Maud to dare to dance with old Nick
himself, if need should arise. And he was man enough to protect us all
three. And now Master Pfinzing knew all about it and, if he yet craved
to hear more, he would find him among the birds, whereas Uhlwurm was to
depart on his way with them that very day, without him.

And he turned his back on my uncle, and quitted the chamber with a heavy
tread; but he turned on the threshold and cried: "Yet keep your lips from
telling what you have in your mind, Master, and in especial to those who
are at their meal in there, as touching that Tetzel-adder; for the wind