“If a private matter I beg you will postpone it,” said Pommer. “Let us talk about it some other day.”
“I regret to say that I must insist on discussing the matter now,” retorted Borgert, stiffly. “You are aware, of course, that as the elder man in the service I have the right, even the duty, to remonstrate with you if I see occasion for it.”
Pommer reflected a moment. In years he was the other man’s senior, and he had also visited a university for a triennium before joining the army, while the other had simply completed the easy curriculum of the military academy. But, true, Borgert was a twelvemonth ahead of him in actual service. So he silently submitted.
“All right, then; to what matter do you refer, sir?”
Borgert assumed the air of a grand inquisitor.
“Accident made me, last night, witness to a scene which I am sorry to say, Herr Comrade, I cannot otherwise describe than shocking. It was in the most secluded spot of the grounds near the Casino. The lady in question—”
“You need proceed no further, Herr Comrade. I know perfectly well that I am to blame.”
“May I ask you for an explanation?”
“I was intoxicated. That is the sole explanation I can offer.”
“A strange one. Why, if you cannot drink without losing your senses,—why, then, do you drink at all?”