United States or Singapore ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


It was borne in upon him that he was a mere caricature of an officer, such as he had hitherto despised; perhaps but a more thoughtful, melancholy variation from the whole brainless type. But what had he to look for in the world beside? Next morning Senior-lieutenant Frommelt, the temporary commander of the second battery, came to Reimers in a hurry.

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.

"My dear Reimers," said he, "you know that Kauerhof is now the eldest senior-lieutenant in the regiment. Before he gets his captaincy he will have to return to ordinary duty for a time, and I must therefore look about for another adjutant. So I thought of you, my dear Reimers. You have been so entirely satisfactory as acting adjutant that I cannot wish for a better man.

One could not help believing what was there on the paper; and, of course, it was easy to understand how the thing had come about. After all, every man has his feelings, whether he be a gunner or a senior-lieutenant. The devil! he himself would have done exactly as Franz did; though, of course, in his case life in a charity-school had made him used to giving in to people.

But when things were going right, they always had time for a word of praise and an appreciative smile. Even the sharp eyes of little Wegstetten could look quite good-humoured on occasion. But Senior-lieutenant Brettschneider always remained stand-offish, looking as if he had swallowed a poker. All this incensed our honest Vogt.

"The others," said the senior-lieutenant. "Let us get on." The pistol practice-ground lay half way up the incline upon a shelf-like terrace of the hillside, a smooth grassy space, surrounded on both sides by high bushes; at the lower end there was a shed built of strong boards, in which tools and targets were stored.

During the gun-practice Vogt had been several times called over the coals by Senior-lieutenant Brettschneider. The bombardier did his duty in a cheerful spirit, and sometimes let fall half-audible jokes and chaff for his comrades' benefit.

And all this, while "stand at attention" was the order; so that the men got cramp in their legs, and sneezing fits from staring the whole time in the face of the morning sun. At last the battery was drawn up on the parade-ground, and Senior-lieutenant Brettschneider was ready to do himself credit.

'Three crosses, my orders say!" The senior-lieutenant rode slowly down. He himself had plenty of time to spare. It was only ten minutes after the half hour, and it was not until six o'clock that he was due at the tactical exercises. The carriage and the three riders overtook him. Dr. von Fröben and Gretzschel greeted him with candid joy in their faces; Landsberg was a little stiff.

And imagine, Mariechen, dear Mariechen one of our best friends Senior-lieutenant Reimers that's how it is with him just as with poor Otto Krewesmühlen; but he will renounce his happiness. He is a brave man." Falkenhein breathed more freely. Thank God! the mischief was out. He looked anxiously across at Marie. Her face had become as white as the table-cloth. He was afraid she might faint.