An' when the bugle
sounded to the assault--why, then, blood and thunder, and ride to the
devil with you!! I was as keen as a pointer. Says I to myself: There's no
help for it now, my boy, it's got to be done; and I set my mind to it and
did it. Till at last the major said before the whole squadron: There's a
hussar now that shows you what a hussar should be!
[_Silence. He lights his pipe._
ANSORGE
[_Shaking his head._] Well, well, well! You had luck with you, Moritz!
[_Sits down on the floor, with his willow twigs beside him, and
continues mending the basket, which he holds between his legs._
OLD BAUMERT
Let's hope you've brought some of it to us.--Are we to have a drop to
drink your health in?
JAEGER
Of course you are, father Baumert. And when this bottle's done, we'll
send for more.
[_He flings a coin on the table._
ANSORGE
[_Open mouthed with amusement._] Oh my! Oh my! What goings on to be sure!
Roast meat frizzlin' in the oven! A bottle o' brandy on the table! [_He
drinks out of the bottle._] Here's to you, Moritz!--Well, well, well!
[_The bottle circulates freely after this._
OLD BAUMERT
If we could any way have a bit o' meat on Sundays and holidays, instead
o' never seein' the sight of it from year's end to year's end! Now we'll
have to wait till another poor little dog finds its way into the house
like this one did four weeks gone by--an' that's not likely to happen
soon again.
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