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"For God's sake, Herr Zittemann," I went on, "what does this mean?" - "Nothing, sir", answered he, "except that you, like me and the other gentlemen here, are a soldier, and consequently we're all brothers, and making objections won't help you any, but will put you on bread and water in the guardhouse, and tie you hand and foot, and flog you so your ribs crack, and then maybe you'll be satisfied." I: "By Christ, that would be an outrage, a godless thing!" He: "Take my word for it, that's how it goes and not otherwise." I:"Then I will make complaint to the King." Here they all laughed loudly. He: "Never in your life would you get to see him". I:"Who should I ask, then?" He: "Our Major, if you like. But it will do you no good, no good at all." I:"Well, I shall try it at all events, and see if - and see if it's really as you say". The lads laughed again, but I resolved nevertheless to go to the Major next morning and enquire after my faithless master.So soon as next day dawned in the sky, I found out the way to the Major's lodgings. Ye gods! it seemed to me like a king's palace, and the Major was like the King himself, so majestic did he appear to me, a big powerful man, with the face of a hero and a pair of fiery eyes like stars. I trembled before him and stuttered: "Herr...Major! I am...Herr Lieutenant Markoni's ser...servant. F...f...for that he took me on, and n...nothing else b...besides. Y...you can ask him your...s...self. I...I don't know where he i...is. Now they're saying I must b...be a s...o...soldier, wh...whether I like it or not". - "So", he broke in, "you are the meritorious little servant, are you! Your fine master has been spending our money fit to make one laugh, and no doubt you got your share. In short, you are to serve the King now, and that's the last word on the subject". I: "But, Herr Major" He: "Silence, my lad or you'll be under guard!" I: "But I have no contract or enlistment bounty! Ah, could I only speak with my master!" He: "You won't see him again for the present, and in the enlistment bounty you have already cost as much as ten others. Your Lieutenant has made a pretty account of his expenses, and you stand at the head of it. But as for your contract, you shall have it." I: "But -" He: "Out with you, why, you little runt -" I: "I b...beg of you -" He: "You rascal! Go to the devil!" With that he drew his sword. I was out of the house like a thief caught red-handed, and off to my lodging, hardly able to find the way again, such was my grief and fear.
There I bewailed my wretchedness long and loud to Zittemann. The good man tried to hearten me: "Patience, my son! Things will go better soon. Now you have fallen on evil days, and many likely lads from good families must do the same. For, granted that Markoni could and would keep you on, even so, he would have to put you into his regiment, as soon as word came for quick march to the front! And indeed, he would be in no position to maintain a servant for the present, for he is said to have paid out monstrous sums on his recruiting, and yet have brought in so few men, that I've many a time heard our colonel and our major lamenting over him, and they won't be in any hurry to send him out on that business again." Thus Zittemann comforted me, and I had to be content with it, for no better comfort could I get. But I said to myself: it's the great ones of the earth who prepare such dishes, and us lesser folk have to lick the plates.
46. So it's true that I'm a soldier?
48
, thinking of nothing in particular, Ännchen maybe; then he waved the flag over our heads and dismissed us.48
See extended note below.
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