Brander (to Tarrasch).
Don’t do it, we’ve had irony enough.
Don’t start it playing, if you want to keep
This Christmas party to ourselves, my boy.
The men are mad with drink, and—other things.
Look here, Tarrasch, what are we going to do
About this youngster, eh?
Tarrasch.
Better keep quiet
Till morning. When the men have slept it off
They’ll stand a better chance of slipping away.
They’re all drunk, officers and men as well.
Brander.
That’s the most merciful thing that one can say.
Nanko.
Oh, what a pity! I did think, Bettine,
That we should have some music. Well—I know!
Tell us the Christmas piece you learned in school.
That’s right. Stand there! No, stand up on this bench.
Your mother tells me that you won the prize
For learning it so beautifully, Bettine.
That’s right. Now, while you say it, I will stand
Here, with a candle. See, that illustrates
The scene.
(He lifts one of the candles to illuminate the picture of the Madonna and child. For a moment he speaks with a curious dignity.)