…of vexation

Several bottles were soon filled from the great cask, which promised a supply for many days, and they were sitting drinking and jesting round the glowing fire, feeling comfortably secured from the raging storm without. Suddenly the old fisherman became very grave and said: “Ah, great God! here we are rejoicing over this rich treasure, and he to whom it once belonged, and of whom the floods have robbed it, has probably lost this precious life in their waters.”
“That he has not,” declared Undine, as she smilingly filled the knight’s cup to the brim.
But Hulbrand replied: “By my honour, old father, if I knew where to find and to rescue him, no knightly errand and no danger would I shirk. So much, however, I can promise you, that if ever again I reach more inhabited lands, I will find out the owner of this wine or his heirs, and requite it twofold, nay, threefold.”
This delighted the old man; he nodded approvingly to the knight, and drained his cup with a better conscience and greater pleasure.
Undine, however, said to Hulbrand: “Do as you will with your gold and your reimbursement; but you speak foolishly about the venturing out in search; I should cry my eyes out, if you were lost in the attempt, and isn’t it true, that you would yourself rather stay with me and the good wine.”
“Yes, indeed,” answered Huldbrand, smiling.
“Then,” said Undine, “you spoke unwisely. For charity begins at home, and what do other people concern us?”
The old woman turned away sighing and shaking her head; the fisherman forgot his wonted affection for the pretty girl and scolded her.
“It sounds exactly,” said he, as he finished his reproof, “as if Turks and heathens had brought you up; may God forgive both me and you, you spoiled child.”
“Well,” replied Undine, “for all that, it is what I feel, let who will hate brought me up, and all your words can’t help that.”
“Silence!” exclaimed the fisherman, and Undine, who, in spite of her pertness, was exceedingly fearful, shrank from him, and moving tremblingly toward Hulbrand, asked him in a soft tone: “Are you also angry, dear friend?”
The knight pressed her tender hand and stroked her hair. He could say nothing, for vexation at the old man’s severity toward Undine closed his lips; and thus the two couples sat opposite to each other, with angry feelings and embarrassed silence.

[Undine, de la Motte Fouqué, F. H. K]