And what further harm was there in it? This,--that everybody in the future, when Röse should be asked for his testimonials, would shrug his shoulders, thinking: “This man cannot be trustworthy, for he has undergone severe punishment for neglect of duty as a sentinel, and that is a bad sign!” Towards nine o’clock in the evening Röse was aroused from his sombre reflections by a rattling of keys at his door. The key turned in the lock, and in stepped the officer on duty, making his round, behind him the guard. Röse jumped up, assumed a rigid military posture, and reported himself. “Private Röse, sentenced to a fortnight’s confinement for neglect of duty while on guard!” The officer cast a searching glance into the dark cell, trying to make out whether he could discover a forbidden object in it beside the blanket and the water-pitcher, and then he turned to go. But Röse hesitatingly and in humble tones said: “Will the Herr Lieutenant permit me to make a respectful request?” “Ask the guard if you want anything,” answered the officer shortly, and then descended the stone steps, his sword clanking. The corporal on guard then turned and went back to Röse’s cell. “What is it you want?” he asked, with a show of good-nature. “I should like to know, Herr Corporal, whether a letter from home has arrived for me, and whether I could not have it!” answered Röse, shyly. “Well, my boy,” laughed the corporal, “strictly speaking, that is something not permitted--first serve your sentence, then you can find out.” But as he scanned closely the features of Röse, who was of his own squadron, and whom he rather liked,--noticing the melancholy face,--he felt pity for the poor fellow. It was really a hard thing to spend Christmas in jail for what probably was a mere oversight, or for what, according to Röse himself, he had not even committed. Therefore he said pleasantly: “Well, I will inquire.” He locked the door, and sent a man to Röse’s quarters with a request to the corporal there to call on him. When the man came over he asked him: “Is there a letter for Röse?” “A letter? No, but a package has come for him.” “Let me tell you!” whispered the corporal. “Open the box and bring something of the contents over here. I feel sorry for the poor devil.” The other nodded and disappeared, soon to return with a letter that he had found inside the package together with some dainty eatables. The corporal took it all and brought it up to Röse, and then he told a man to carry up a pail of coal to the cell.