"Preserve us, Karl, what is all this?" asked Bräsig, as he saw the schoolmaster approaching.
"Now, Zachary, Master Strull wishes to show honor to the young Herr, as well as the rest of us, and why shouldn't the children have a chance to show what they have learned?"
"Too ecclesiastical, Karl; altogether too ecclesiastical for a lieutenant? Haven't you got a drum or a trumpet?"
"No," laughed Habermann, "we don't keep that sort of agricultural implement."
"Very unfortunate," said Bräsig, "but hold! Krischan Däsel, come and hold the flag a moment! It is all right, Karl," said he, as he went off. But if Habermann had known what he had in his mind, he would have called it all wrong. Bräsig beckoned the night-watchman, David Däsel, to step aside, and asked him where his instrument was. David bethought himself a little, and finally answered, "Here!" holding up his staff, for Fritz Triddelsitz had ordered all the day-laborers to bring them along, "that they might do the honors to the Herr Lieutenant," as he said.
"Blockhead!" cried Bräsig, "I mean your musical instrument."
"You mean my horn? That is at home."
"Can you play pieces on it?"
"Yes," said David Däsel, he could play one.
"Well," said Bräsig, "bring your instrument, and come out behind the cattle-stall, and I will hear you play."