DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62133#0208
192
AN ART-STUDENT IN MUNICH.
patiently waiting in the cold, np there came a merry-faced
lad of about ten, and began, in great glee, to describe to us
the glorious things that were performed by those “ dear
little monkeys and dogs.” He was quite eloquent in his
delight; and “ Oh !” said he, “ if I had but another Sechser
(twopenny-piece), wouldn't I see it again!” “There is
another Sechser, then !” said I, and put one into his fat
little hand. What an astonished, bright face looked up
into mine; and he seized my hand in both his, and shook
it almost off; and away he run up the steps for his ticket,
flying down again to us, and keeping as close to us as
possible, talking all the time, and fairly dancing for joy.
“ You've quite bewitched that little fellow,” said Madame
Thekla •> and I seemed to have bewitched all the little lads
in the fair, for, by a strangely mysterious power, they were
drawn towards us in crowds, from all hands — little
fellows in blouses, little fellows in little green and
brown surtouts, little fellows in old-fashioned jackets
and trowsers — and all crept bashfully towards us.
Oh, the wonderful magic of a twopenny-piece! Heaven
only knows how the news of this munificent gift of a
Sechser had so swiftly spread through the fair ! One little
lad actually had the bravery to say to me that “ children
were admitted at half-price !” And was I not a cold-
hearted wretch to reply, “ Oh, indeed !” just as though it
were a matter of perfect indifference to me, though, in
truth, it was not; but I felt rather appalled at the sight of
such a crowd of little eager heads, well knowing that my
purse was not full to overflowing, even with twopenny-
pieces !
At length we were seated in the little theatre; and,
after a fearful charivari from the orchestra, the curtain drew
up, and we beheld, seated at a long table, a company of
monkeys ! It was a table d'hote. A dandified young
fellow—perhaps Monsieur Le Cerf himself—in the most
AN ART-STUDENT IN MUNICH.
patiently waiting in the cold, np there came a merry-faced
lad of about ten, and began, in great glee, to describe to us
the glorious things that were performed by those “ dear
little monkeys and dogs.” He was quite eloquent in his
delight; and “ Oh !” said he, “ if I had but another Sechser
(twopenny-piece), wouldn't I see it again!” “There is
another Sechser, then !” said I, and put one into his fat
little hand. What an astonished, bright face looked up
into mine; and he seized my hand in both his, and shook
it almost off; and away he run up the steps for his ticket,
flying down again to us, and keeping as close to us as
possible, talking all the time, and fairly dancing for joy.
“ You've quite bewitched that little fellow,” said Madame
Thekla •> and I seemed to have bewitched all the little lads
in the fair, for, by a strangely mysterious power, they were
drawn towards us in crowds, from all hands — little
fellows in blouses, little fellows in little green and
brown surtouts, little fellows in old-fashioned jackets
and trowsers — and all crept bashfully towards us.
Oh, the wonderful magic of a twopenny-piece! Heaven
only knows how the news of this munificent gift of a
Sechser had so swiftly spread through the fair ! One little
lad actually had the bravery to say to me that “ children
were admitted at half-price !” And was I not a cold-
hearted wretch to reply, “ Oh, indeed !” just as though it
were a matter of perfect indifference to me, though, in
truth, it was not; but I felt rather appalled at the sight of
such a crowd of little eager heads, well knowing that my
purse was not full to overflowing, even with twopenny-
pieces !
At length we were seated in the little theatre; and,
after a fearful charivari from the orchestra, the curtain drew
up, and we beheld, seated at a long table, a company of
monkeys ! It was a table d'hote. A dandified young
fellow—perhaps Monsieur Le Cerf himself—in the most