Part 4 (1/2)
Look at it as he would, the life of both the present and the future had seemed to him scarcely worth living. Upon such reflections broke the captain's hearty, friendly words, bringing a glimmer of light into the terrible darkness. To merit the goodwill of this man, to show him that his sympathy had not been unworthily bestowed, was at least an object to live for. Frielinghausen set himself to attain it.
He paused near the door sunk in thought, he hardly knew for how long.
He was startled by a hand on his shoulder and a voice saying: ”Just let me pa.s.s, my son.”
Frielinghausen stood aside at the bidding of an officer who, in full-dress helmet, with aigrette, epaulettes, bandolier, and scarf, strode into the orderly-room. He thought sadly how he had himself as a youngster dreamt of being an officer, until his mother had talked him over to the safer career of letters. Now he glanced at his own shabby uniform and compared it regretfully with that of the other.
In the orderly-room Wegstetten rose briskly to meet the new-comer, and held out his hand: ”Delighted to have you in my battery, Reimers; you are heartily welcome!” cutting short the lieutenant's acknowledgments with: ”Yes indeed, I am pleased to have a man with me who has some actual experience of soldiering; of possibly something even more severe than that of Madelung with the fourth battery in China.”
Laughingly he held up a warning finger as he added:
”Even though it was entirely contrary to orders that you should have fought for the Boers. How did you get on in the fortress?”
Reimers answered, smiling:
”Pretty well, sir. I have scarcely ever been so well treated as during that arrest.”
”Very likely. And his majesty did not let you languish there long?”
”No, indeed, sir.”
Wegstetten glanced at his watch.
”Well, I'm sorry I can't stop any longer now, for I must go back to the riding-school again. So good-bye, my dear fellow. But let me say once more how glad I am to have a man who has really smelt powder. They are only to be found among colonels and generals as a rule nowadays.”
As soon as the captain had gone, Reimers put his helmet on the table, and drew off his gloves.
He glanced round the orderly-room and nodded with satisfaction as he noted that everything was as it used to be. Then he held out his hand to the sergeant-major.
”Good-day, Schumann!” he said cheerily. ”You're still here? How are you?”
”I'm well, sir, thank G.o.d. And, beg pardon, sir, but how are you?”
Reimers looked surprised. ”I'm quite well, of course. Why should I not be?”
”Well, sir, you had sick-leave last year----?”
”Ah, yes, that's all gone, Schumann; all gone--not a trace of it left.”
”I'm delighted to hear it, sir,” said the sergeant-major; ”and, if you will excuse me, sir,” he went on somewhat hesitatingly, ”I'm glad, very glad, you've come back to the sixth, especially after you've fought for the Boers. I should like to go out there myself, you know, sir.”
”Oh, no, Schumann,” said Reimers, ”you must not think of that. I don't believe you would like it. There's another side to that affair. Stay contentedly here. This is the place for you. Besides, the poor devils have next to no artillery left.”
Lieutenant Reimers took Schumann's familiarity in good part. He recognised that it was the strong love of justice which made him espouse the cause of the weak.
”No, Schumann,” he went on: ”that is no place for you. Wait; wait quietly here. Mark my words! There will be work enough! The lessons learnt over there in China, too, will have to be worked out here, and for that we shall want our best men. You will be wanted. If only we had more like you!”
Reimers emphasised the last words, and heartily wrung the sergeant-major's hand.
Then he put on his helmet again and strode out of the room; a man, indeed, over whom the soldier heart of Schumann rejoiced. One could have confidence in a man like that, with his quick penetrating glance and his easy, erect carriage. He was a handsome fellow too, fair-haired and of open countenance, only just a trifle thin from his campaigning experiences. Not one of those young puppies, like some of the officers, who caused the sergeant-major, notwithstanding his due respect for his superiors, to shake his head sadly at times.
Schumann seated himself at his table. But despite all his efforts he could not concentrate his attention on the recruiting papers. The words of Reimers haunted him: that he, Schumann, would be wanted. That was the second time the same thing had been said to him this very day.