"Not at all." "But I don't understand." "The people are interested in him. They don't care for the 'Material and the Immaterial.'" "That is a good suggestion, Professor," said the widow. "I would much rather hear about Bismarck. I admire him. Why do you not, Miss Blagden?" "Because he was a second-hand autocrat," said the Disagreeable Woman. "Again I do not understand," said the Professor. "He was the servant of the Emperor.[Pg 28] His authority did not come from the people." [Pg 28] There was some further conversation, and Prof. Poppendorf promised that his next lecture should be upon Bismarck. [Pg 29] [Pg 29] CHAPTER IV. PROF. POPPENDORF'S LECTURE. CHAPTER IV. PROF. POPPENDORF'S LECTURE. We all sat at supper on Thursday evening. There was a general air of expectation. It was on this evening that Prof. Poppendorf was to give his lecture. We all gazed at him with more than ordinary interest. The old Professor, gray and grim-visaged, sat more than usually erect, and his manner and bearing were marked by unusual dignity. He felt himself to be the hero of the hour. I have neglected to say that Mrs. Wyman had been transferred to the seat adjoining mine. As she could not do without masculine attention I suspect that this arrangement was prompted by [Pg 30]herself. Henceforth I was favored with the greater part of her conversation. [Pg 30] "I am quite looking forward to Prof. Poppendorf's lecture!" she said. "You are going, are you not?" "I think so, but I can't say I am looking forward to it. I fancy it will be dry and difficult to understand." "You think he is a
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