Part 53 (1/2)

As through a mist he saw that Senior-lieutenant Reimers was smiling a little, probably at his over-heated appearance. Then suddenly he heard the sharp high voice of Brettschneider.

”Please stand in a more respectful att.i.tude, Bombardier Vogt, when you have something to say to me,” the voice snapped out.

Vogt pulled himself up and repeated his announcement.

But now the senior-lieutenant began to correct him and find fault with him: he was to put his right shoulder higher, his cap was not straight, he must place the tip of his little finger on his trouser-seam, and put his feet wider apart.

”Straighten your knees!” commanded he at last.

Vogt felt how his legs were trembling. He might have been able to obey; but he was at the end of his patience.

Brettschneider again and in a louder tone commanded: ”Bombardier Vogt, straighten your knees!”

But Vogt did not care; a mad resentment surged up in him. He would not obey this idiot at any price. He raised his head, and looked the officer straight in the face with eyes full of open mutiny.

Brettschneider shouted again: ”Bombardier Vogt, I order you to straighten your knees. Do you know that you are being guilty of disobedience to orders, and that that is a military crime?”

But Bombardier Vogt remained unmoved, with his mutinous eyes fixed on the senior-lieutenant.

Brettschneider waited a few seconds, then he called quietly to one of the corporals: ”Put Bombardier Vogt under arrest!”

The corporal looked blankly, first at Brettschneider, then at Vogt.

The senior-lieutenant repeated his order, whereupon the corporal took the bombardier by his right arm and marched away with him through the gate into the courtyard of the barrack.

When they were out of hearing, Reimers turned to his companion: ”Were you not a little hard on him, Brettschneider?”

The clean-shaven face turned towards him languidly, and Brettschneider asked coolly: ”How do you mean, my dear fellow?”

”Well, you must know yourself!” pursued Reimers. ”The man had just done a good piece of work, he came running to you and expected a word of recognition,--he deserved it, Brettschneider,--and you let him be taken off like that! I don't think that's the way to make men love their work.”

”One must preserve discipline, and prevent these rascals from getting thoroughly demoralised.”

Reimers shrugged his shoulders. ”Vogt was the best soldier in the whole battery,” he declared.

”Then the battery is in a bad way!” retorted Brettschneider impatiently. ”The man commits an undeniable piece of disobedience before your eyes and you defend him? I am much obliged!” Brettschneider put on his haughtiest expression, smiled with the utmost politeness, and said amiably: ”You must confess, my dear Reimers, that I am ent.i.tled to my own opinion about the matter.”

In Room IX. that evening the conversation was of a heated description.

Truchsess swore that he would not put up with that low fellow, that Brettschneider. All of them were furious with the stuck-up young man; and though they had hitherto gone through their duty without much fuss or grumbling, they were now filled with a thorough repugnance for the soldier's uniform and a perfect hatred for military life in which one had to knuckle under to idiots like that. You half killed yourself and what did you get by it? More kicks than halfpence, or perhaps you even get clapped into prison!

”Keep your hair on, brewer!” said Count Plettau to Truchsess; and putting on a superior tone: ”We don't understand all this, you see!

this is the higher kind of patriotism! Lieutenant Brettschneider ought to have a medal, instead of being blamed by such as you!”

He also was beside himself with rage over the exasperating piece of folly he had witnessed. Hang it all! if he had not been so seriously concerned to get to the end of his long years of service he would certainly have put a spoke in the wheel of this young gentleman, the senior-lieutenant. But no; that would be too foolish. Only a few days more and he would be free at last; he could not play tricks with his chances.

Suddenly he laughed aloud.

”You keep your mouths shut, boys!” he said, ”otherwise you may get into trouble yourselves. But don't worry! When I have got over the next few days I'll give the senior-lieutenant the lesson he wants!”