"'GEHT ZUM TEUFEL, Sir!' said he, in a loud voice (it means 'Go to
the deuce,' my dear),--'Geht zum Teufel, and eat what you like!'
With this he went out of the room abruptly; leaving in my hand one
of his buttons, which I keep to this day. As soon as I was alone,
amazed by his great goodness and bounty, I sobbed aloud--cried like
a child" (the Count's eyes filled and winked at the very
recollection), "and when I went back into the card-room, stepping up
to Krahwinkel, 'Count,' says I, 'who looks foolish now?'--Hey there,
La Rose, give me the diamond-- Yes, that was the very pun I made,
and very good it was thought. 'Krahwinkel,' says I, 'WHO LOOKS
FOOLISH NOW?' and from that day to this I was never at a Court-day
asked to eat Sauerkraut--NEVER!"
"Hey there, La Rose! Bring me that diamond snuff-box in the drawer
of my secretaire;" and the snuff-box was brought. "Look at it, my
dear," said the Count, "for I saw you seemed to doubt. There is the
button--the very one that came off his Grace's coat."
Mr. Billings received it, and twisted it about with a stupid air.
The story had quite mystified him; for he did not dare yet to think
his father was a fool--his respect for the aristocracy prevented
him.
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