in jest and half in earnest—­a trifling offer indeed, in comparison with the value of the property.  Kohlhaas pushed the pen and ink over for him to sign, and when the bailiff, who could not believe his senses, again inquired if he were really in earnest, and the horse-dealer asked, a little sensitively, whether he thought that he was only jesting with him, then took up the pen, though with a very serious face, and wrote.  However, he crossed out the clause concerning the sum to be forfeited in case the seller should repent of the transaction, bound himself to a loan of one hundred gold gulden on a mortgage on the Dresden property, which he absolutely refused to buy outright, and allowed Kohlhaas full liberty to withdraw from the transaction at any time within two months.

The horse-dealer, touched by this conduct, shook his hand with great cordiality, and after they had furthermore agreed on the principal conditions, to the effect that a fourth part of the purchase-price should without fail be paid immediately in cash, and the balance paid into the Hamburg bank in three months’ time, Kohlhaas called for wine in order to celebrate such a happy conclusion of the bargain.  He told the maid-servant who entered with the bottles, to order Sternbald, the groom, to saddle the chestnut horse for him, as he had to ride to the capital, where he had some business to attend to.  He gave them to understand that, in a short time, when he returned, he would talk more frankly concerning what he must for the present continue to keep to himself.  As he poured out the wine into the glasses, he asked about the Poles and the Turks who were just then at war, and involved the bailiff in many political conjectures on the subject; then, after finally drinking once more to the success of their business, he allowed the latter to depart.

When the bailiff had left the room, Lisbeth fell down on her knees before her husband.  “If you have any affection for me,” she cried, “and for the children whom I have borne you; if you have not already, for what reason I know not, cast us out from your heart, then tell me what these horrible preparations mean!”

Kohlhaas answered, “Dearest wife, they mean nothing which need cause you any alarm, as matters stand at present.  I have received a decree in which I am told that my complaint against the Squire Wenzel Tronka is a piece of impertinent mischief-making.  As there must exist some misunderstanding in this matter, I have made up my mind to present my complaint once more, this time in person, to the sovereign himself.”

“But why will you sell your house?” she cried, rising with a look of despair.

The horse-dealer, clasping her tenderly to his breast, answered, “Because, dear Lisbeth, I do not care to remain in a country where they will not protect me in my rights.  If I am to be kicked I would rather be a dog than a man!  I am sure that my wife thinks about this just as I do.”