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Updated: May 6, 2025
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.
But the boy had always been so independent, no one could help feeling for him. And after all, when one looked at it rightly, it was a clumsy thing for Lieutenant Brettschneider to have done, and his son's fault had been the outcome of an unfortunate set of circumstances, not a very serious fault either, though the poor lad would have to pay for it dearly enough!
This was a topsy-turvy world. Wegstetten's eyes chanced to rest on Gustav Weise, who was in his place in the right wing as corporal in charge of the first column. It would be unjust to complain of him; Weise did his work very well. But the captain would have preferred to see a Corporal Vogt in his stead. In front of Weise stood Senior-lieutenant Brettschneider as leader of the first column.
Apart from the delightful reminiscences of lovely natural scenes, I shall always think with pleasure on my sojourn in Naples in connexion with Herr Brettschneider and his lady. I was a complete stranger to them when I delivered my note of introduction, and yet they at once welcomed me as kindly and heartily as though I had belonged to their family.
Brettschneider might have been quite brilliant at the Staff College in tactics and military history, but he was of no real use as an officer; still less could he instil into the men either military efficiency or convinced patriotism. When Vogt arrived at the station the train he had meant to take had already gone. Well, that couldn't be helped. He must wait for the next.
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!"
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 attitude, Bombardier Vogt, when you have something to say to me," the voice snapped out. Vogt pulled himself up and repeated his announcement.
Nice sort of business this! There it was right enough: "Wilful disobedience before all the other men!" Nothing else was to be made of it. But this Senior-lieutenant Brettschneider by God! he was not one of the right sort, if the boy was telling the truth. With all due respect for an officer, he seemed to be a perfect popinjay.
On the other hand, it could not be denied that Brettschneider was in the right: they were forbidden to speak unless it was absolutely necessary, and "necessary" his admonition had certainly not been. Nevertheless, a bitter feeling of having been unjustly treated remained in Vogt's mind.
Carrying the placard with its back carefully turned to the battery, he descended the slope again, and returned to the three officers. With the tips of his fingers the colonel took the document from him. The inscription was short enough: "Senior-lieutenant Brettschneider," cried Major Schrader suddenly, "please be good enough to come here for a moment."
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