"Look you here, fair son," said Sir Eberhard, rousing himself, "these
things are all past me. I'll have none of them. You and your Kaisar
understand one another, and your homage is paid. It boots not
changing all for an old fellow that is but come home to die."
"Nay, father, it is in the order of things that you should be lord
here."
"I never was lord here, and, what is more, I would not, and could not
be. Son, I marked you yesterday. You are master as never was my
poor father, with all the bawling and blows that used to rule the
house, while these fellows mind you at a word, in a voice as quiet as
your mother's. Besides, what should I do with all these mills and
bridges of yours, and Diets, and Leagues, and councils enough to
addle a man's brain? No, no; I could once slay a bear, or strike a
fair stroke at a Schlangenwalder, but even they got the better of me,
and I am good for nothing now but to save my soul. I had thought to
do it as a hermit up there; but my little Christina thinks the saints
will be just as well pleased if I tell my beads here, with her to
help me, and I know that way I shall not make so many mistakes.
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