[_Shaking his head._] Is that so? Well, well! EMMA [_Puts the potato-parings into a bag._] I must be off; I'll maybe get a drop o' buttermilk for these. [_Goes out._ JAEGER [_The others hanging intently and devoutly on his words._] You know how you all used to be down on me. It was always: Wait, Moritz, till your soldierin' time comes--you'll catch it then. But you see how well I've got on. At the end o' the first half-year I had my good conduct stripes. You've got to be willin'--that's where the secret lies. I brushed the sergeant's boots; I groomed his horse; I fetched his beer. I was as sharp as a needle. Always ready, accoutrements clean and shinin'--first at stables, first at roll-call, first in the saddle. 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. ANSORGE Have you killed the little dog? OLD BAUMERT We had to do that or starve. ANSORGE Well, well! That's so! MOTHER BAUMERT A nice, kind little beast he was, too! JAEGER Are you as keen as ever on roast dog hereabouts? OLD BAUMERT Lord, if we could only get enough of it! MOTHER BAUMERT A nice little bit o' meat like that does you a lot o' good. OLD BAUMERT Have you lost the taste for it, Moritz? Stay with us a bit, and it'll soon come back to you. ANSORGE [_Sniffing._] Yes, yes! That will be a tasty bite--what a good smell it has! OLD BAUMERT [_Sniffing._] Fine as spice, you might say. ANSORGE Come, then, Moritz, tell us your opinion, you that's been out and seen the world. Is things at all like to improve for us weavers, eh? JAEGER They would need to. ANSORGE