OTTO (_Suddenly drawing himself up, in a threatening attitude._) Mind what you’re saying! THE BURGOMASTER Come, come, stop this fooling and let us talk sense. We must not lose our self-control. The Major is a monster, a brute, anything you please; but, placed as he is, he’s right. He’s obeying the regulations; and, again in his position, he can’t act differently.... I will ask Otto once again, is it quite certain that he will not reconsider his decision? People often change their minds at the last moment; and even the most obstinate man will let himself think. OTTO As I know him—and I have known him for more than ten years—he will have everything carried out exactly as he has decided. THE BURGOMASTER Can’t he have the firing-party commanded by a sergeant? OTTO He won’t do it. In anything relating to the army orders, he is inflexible. Besides, on second thoughts, I am not sure that I did not go too far just now when I said that he had nothing against me. I have sometimes observed a certain ill-will, almost a certain animosity, where I was concerned. I don’t quite know to what to ascribe it. It may be that the plebeian prosperity of my family offends his patrician poverty. It may be that, as I took my wife from this country, he suspects me of being too fond of its inhabitants. Or, more likely still, he may have other reasons into which I do not care to enter. The fact remains that he would not be sorry to find me at fault or at least to put me to the test and to make that test a striking example, which will teach our soldiers once more what German discipline can do. THE BURGOMASTER And if I asked him to grant me the favour of giving the word to fire? OTTO I thought of that. He refused peremptorily, refused as a matter of course, said that it was an honour which could not be shown to a rebel and a traitor. FLORIS A traitor? THE BURGOMASTER Yes, Floris, they call traitors all those who do not betray their country for Germany’s benefit. OTTO He added that it was also against all the regulations, so it became useless for me to insist. THE BURGOMASTER Very good. What do you intend to do? OTTO Whatever Isabelle decides. THE BURGOMASTER And what will you have him do, Isabelle? ISABELLE Refuse to obey. FLORIS Why, of course! THE BURGOMASTER And, if you refuse to obey, Otto, do you think that your refusal will alter my fate at all? OTTO