It sees the light of print people will puzzle whether your Joan was saint, witch, man, maid or something else."
Mark had replaced his cigar and was now chewing it viciously.
"Let's have the story," he said. While he read Joan of Arc's ephemeral epitaph, quoted by Lottchen, the stern lines of his face gradually softened and coming to the end, he laughed outright. "Tiptop," he chuckled, "I wish I had done these verses myself. But, of course, if I had thought of them fifteen or more years ago, I would never have taken Joan seriously."
The verses that amused the great humorist, read as follows:
"Here lies Joan of Arc: the which
Some count man, and something more;
Some count maid, and some a bore.
Her life's in question, wrong or right;
Her death's in doubt by laws or might.
Oh, innocence! take heed of it.
How thou, too, near to guilt doth sit.
(Meantime, France a wonder saw:
A woman rule, 'gainst Salic law!)
But, reader, be content to stay
Thy censure till the judgment-day;
Then shalt thou know, and not before.
Whether saint, witch, man, maid, or bore."
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