engrossed in keeping up the deception that I really think I should
have let myself be pummelled, or even let you be hanged, Eric, as he
threatened, rather than give it away. Didn't you feel the same?

ERIC. No, indeed, my lord! It would be an odd sensation, to let
yourself be hanged for fun; that sort of fun would be too expensive.

BARON. Why, Eric, such things happen every day: people throw away
their lives for fun in one way or another. For instance, a man has a
weak nature and sees that he is ruining his life and his health by
excessive drinking; yet he still keeps on maltreating his body and
risks his life for an evening's enjoyment. Then, again: it often
happens in Turkey that grand viziers are strangled or choked to
death with a cord the very day they are made viziers, or a few days
after; yet every one is eager to take the office, just so that he
may be hanged with a great title. Still another instance: officers
gladly risk body and soul to get a reputation for bravery, and fight
duels about anything at all even with men known to be their
superiors. I think, too, that one could find hundreds and hundreds
of men in love who for the sake of a night of pleasure would let
themselves be killed in the morning. And you see in sieges how
soldiers will desert in droves and flock to the beleaguered city,
which they know must shortly surrender, and in order to live in
luxury for one day will get themselves hanged the next. One way is
no more rational than the other. In olden times even philosophers
used to subject themselves deliberately to misfortune in order that
after their death they might be praised. Therefore, Eric, I
thoroughly believe that you would rather have allowed yourself to be
hanged than have spoiled our beautiful practical joke.