"Faultlessly! faultlessly!" said the major.
"Well, sir, it was partly good luck. The officer in command of a battery is right in the middle of it all, and sees lots of things which look as if they might go wrong. Then some happy accident occurs, and the situation is saved."
The major, however, seemed to have something more on his mind, and stood stroking his whiskers in embarrassment.
"Certainly, certainly," he answered. "A man must have good luck, or he will have bad! But your merit is there all the same, my dear Güntz."
And then he continued, rather haltingly: "And therefore, you know, it is all the more painful to me. But there is something more behind. These superior officers never seem to give unstinted praise."
Güntz's hand went up to his helmet, and he said, in a level voice: "Of course I am at your orders, sir."
"No, no, my dear Güntz," said Schrader, deprecatingly; "the colonel is kind enough to undertake the unpleasant part of my duty for me, and I am glad of it; for it would have been very much against the grain with me. Well, well! just you go quietly to the colonel, and don't worry about it at all. Thank you, my dear Güntz. Good morning, good morning!"
He turned towards his quarters, and from the steps nodded in friendly fashion to the captain.
Güntz did feel a little anxious about the interview which lay before him. He was conscious of having performed his duty to the best of his ability. But heaven knows what commanding officers won't sometimes get their backs up about!
Colonel von Falkenhein received him very cordially.