"One's future wife."
"That isn't what I mean. I mean, how does a fellow know whom he has to marry?"
"You have to go about it this way. You line up all the girls of the town, in a long row, and then you put your ear close up to each one, like the doctor when you have a cough. When you hear one of them sigh, as if she had eaten too many tarts, you know that's the one you are to marry."
"You aren't telling the truth. I don't believe you."
"It is the truth, however. But my truth wears a cap and bells. Am I not the Fool?"
There was a pause. Then Gerold spoke hesitatingly. "I would like to ask a silly question."
"I beg of you most earnestly as a favour to me, do so. It is a real relief to me to hear some one ask a plain foolish question after I've had to listen to so many elaborate idiocies. Go ahead, Gerold. Have pity on me. Ask a foolish question."
"I am afraid you are making fun of me."
"I never make fun of foolishness, only of wisdom. Be brave and go on. Besides, you couldn't possibly ask any wilder questions than the ones I ask myself."
"Why is it absolutely necessary to marry a girl, instead of something else?"
"Well, were you thinking of marrying a grasshopper?"
"Oh no! not that, but—"
"But what?"
"My beautiful prisoner."
"And who may that Johnny be?"
So Gerold, blushing, told his secret concerning the handsome General of the hostile Cadets, who had been appearing to
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