The Burgomaster's Wife — Volume 01 by Georg Ebers
page 10 of 73 (13%)
page 10 of 73 (13%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
head as freely as other mortals.
"That ape, Wibisma," said one of the school-boys, pointing to the approaching nobleman. All eyes turned towards him, scornfully scanning his little velvet hat decked with a long plume, the quilted red satin garment padded in the breast and sleeves, the huge puffs of his short brown breeches, and the brilliant scarlet silk stockings that closely fitted his well-formed limbs. "The ape," repeated Paul Van Swieten. "He wants to be a cardinal, that's why he wears so much red." "And looks as Spanish as if he came straight from Madrid," cried another lad, while a third added: "The Wibismas certainly were not to be found here, so long as bread was short with us." The Wibismas are all Glippers. "And he struts about on week-days, dressed in velvet and silk," said Adrian. "Just look at the black boy the red-legged stork has brought with him to Leyden." The scholars burst into a loud laugh, and as soon as the youth had reached them, Paul Van Swieten snarled in a nasal tone: "How did deserting suit you? How are affairs in Spain, master Glipper?" |
|