“Not in the least,” I replied. “You must know that when I was in Berlin I frequently used to hear the Berliners repeat, and repellently prolong, a certain phrase⁠—namely, ‘ Ja wohl! ’; and, happening to meet this couple in the carriage-drive, I found, for some reason or another, that this phrase suddenly recurred to my memory, and exercised a rousing effect upon my spirits. Moreover, on the three previous occasions that I have met the Baroness she has walked towards me as though I were a worm which could easily be crushed with the foot. Not unnaturally, I too possess a measure of self-respect; wherefore, on this occasion I took off my hat, and said politely (yes, I assure you it was said politely): ‘ Madame, j’ai l’honneur d’être votre esclave. ’ Then the Baron turned round, and said ‘ Hein! ’; whereupon I felt moved to ejaculate in answer ‘ Ja wohl! ’ Twice I shouted it at him⁠—the first time in an ordinary tone, and the second time with the greatest prolonging of the words of which I was capable. That is all.”