Yes, he was a lieutenant in the reserve. It’s odd that he should have dared.... But no, in point of fact he’s right. He has done the right thing, he will arrange matters and we shall have nothing to fear. All the same, it’s rather extraordinary. My own son-in-law comes into my town as a conqueror, booted and helmeted, with his sword drawn, after violating the frontier of his adopted country.... However, it’s war; and he can’t help it. He’s not responsible and he can’t do what he likes. Besides, it’s all the better for us: as long as he’s here, we’ve nothing to be afraid of.... How are they behaving at Winkel? I hope they haven’t done much harm? JEAN GILSON They hadn’t when I left. They took the burgomaster, the priest and the notary as hostages and declared that they would kill them if a single shot was fired in the village. THE BURGOMASTER They won’t do that, thanks to Otto. Otto is a kind-hearted chap, who wouldn’t hurt a soul. Besides, I feel certain that their massacres and atrocities have been greatly exaggerated; after all, they’re not savages. JEAN GILSON I beg your pardon, Mr. Burgomaster, there has been no exaggeration at all; on the contrary, we haven’t heard everything yet. What they did at Andenne, at Dinant, at Louvain, at Aerschot and at every town they came to is simply appalling. As for the massacres at Dinant and Louvain, I’ve got that at first hand: two of my men saw it with their own eyes. At Louvain, they executed two hundred and ten innocent people, including twenty-four women and fourteen children; at Dinant, six hundred and six, including thirty-nine children and seventy-one women; at Aerschot, they shot the burgomaster and his son of fifteen, with many other entirely harmless and defenceless citizens. THE BURGOMASTER Then it’s true that there have been military executions? I didn’t believe it.... And what excuse did they make? JEAN GILSON Their colonel had been killed by a stray bullet, fired by one of their own men. THE BURGOMASTER The devil! They’re dangerous then! But we must have none of that here. (_Enter the_ FOOTMAN.) Here’s Firmin with the tray: sandwiches and the two bottles. (_Filling the glasses._) This is my ’95 Rudesheimer. Tell me what you think of it. JEAN GILSON (_Tasting the wine._) It’s remarkably good. THE BURGOMASTER You’re right. (_Exit the_ FOOTMAN.) This is one of a lot of fifty dozen, which I bought at the sale of Von Hulthem the notary, who had the best cellar in these parts.... But what do you mean to do now? You can’t go off like this, you know. You must have a few days’ rest here; and we’ll dress your wound properly; it doesn’t do to trifle with a thing like that. JEAN GILSON