Page:Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations (Volume 2).djvu/63

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The Spectre Barber.
51

knight, in a voice of thunder, “that you tremble and grow pale, as if in the clutches of death?” Frank felt that it was now too late to retract, and, being convinced that he was likely to pay dear for his fare, he summed up all his courage, and assumed even an impudent air to conceal his cowardice.

“Sir knight,” he boldly replied, “the rain has drenched me as if I had swam through the Weser; I want, therefore, to change my wet clothes, and to get a good warm posset to banish these shiverings, which seem like the commencement of an ague, but a warm draught is most likely to cure me.”

“Well said,” replied the knight; “make yourself at home, and ask for what you want.”

Frank made the servants wait on him, as if he had been the grand Turk, and, having only blows to expect, he did not care if he deserved them. He therefore teazed the servants about him in every possible way.

“This doublet,” said he, “is made for a big bellied abbot, bring me one that fits me. These slippers hurt my corns, bring me a softer and

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