“Ah! gentlemen,” exclaimed the governor laughingly, “the singing of the pleti caused you to leave! Well, we Russians accustom ourselves to such things. When, with other practical institutions, the pleti is also introduced into the new German Empire, then you will learn to think it as useful an instrument as is the whip in the hands of the cartman.” “Who drive oxen and donkeys,” added the professor. “Our new German Empire has already introduced a punishment for the soldiers, which causes as much pain as the pleti,” said Adolph von Sempach. “I have read repeatedly in the newspapers that soldiers, while upon drill, have fallen fainting to the ground. The reason was their being compelled to carry heavy stones in their knapsacks, until their strength gave way.” “It is a Russian invention that you have borrowed from us; we have long practised it,” asserted Rasumowski. “And I suppose we have also adopted your severe system of military arrest, which Count von Moltke justifies by ingeniously remarking that even in time of peace the soldier owes his health to his country.” “Yes, it is true we keep up the same strict discipline,” exclaimed the Russian; “but Moltke should have said that the soldier owes his health and life to the _emperor_, and not to the _country_. Words are useless; acts are what we insist upon.” When leaving the house, there were a number of men, women, and children outside who awaited the governor. At seeing him, they all fell upon their knees, and lifted up their hands in supplication. “Pardon! Mercy! Humanity!” were heard in confused accents. “Keep quiet!” commanded Rasumowski. “Schulze, what does this mean?” “Your honor, these are the poor people who live in the huts. They ask you, for God’s sake, not to destroy their only place of shelter.” “Asking me to do a thing for God’s sake!” exclaimed the governor harshly. “If they had asked me to do so for the emperor’s sake, I would perhaps have granted their request. Begone! Away with you! My orders are to be obeyed!” The people, however, did not rise, but burst forth into fresh lamentations and tears. “Your honor,” said an old man, “graciously listen to us, as the good emperor would do, who always wishes to help his people. We built those huts by permission of the parish, and we strive to make a living in an honest way. We pay the taxes, and are not in debt to the emperor. If your honor destroys our huts, whither shall we poor people go? Must we live with the foxes and wolves in the forests? Is this the will of the emperor?” “The emperor desires his subjects to live in comfortable houses, for which reason the huts must be removed,” answered Rasumowski. “Your honor, we have no means to build comfortable houses,” replied the old man. “Look at the little children; they will die if the orders of your honor are executed.” “I will hear no more: it is the emperor’s will!” exclaimed the governor.