"You really are unjust!" exclaimed Reimers.
"Well, perhaps so----"
"You see, you allow it yourself!"
"But in a different way from what you mean. I say that the subalterns themselves are only in part answerable for their faults, the other part of the responsibility is borne by the entire system."
"What system?"
"Why, the system of our entire army service, of our military education."
"Has it not been tested in three campaigns?"
Güntz was silent for a time, and then he answered, turning away: "Yes, certainly. But you are not unaware of the fact that a system can go on being tested until the moment when it collapses?"
"And anyhow," he continued, "all this refers to private thoughts of my own, about which I can't tell you just yet. I am now going to make the final experiment, and then I shall have to decide."
"What?"