Fritz Triddelsitz darted about the Pumpelhagen court-yard next morning, like a pickerel in a fish-pond, for he had put on his little uniform, the green hunting-jacket, and gray breeches, to please the gracious lady,--as he said,--that her lovely eyes might have something agreeable to look upon. His own eyes, which were usually directed to Habermann's window like the compass to the north star, wandered this morning over the whole front of the manor-house, and when a window was raised, and the young Herr put his head out and called to him, he darted across the court-yard, like a pickerel, as if Axel in his silver-gray dressing-gown were a flat-fish, and the red handkerchief about his neck were the fins.
"Triddelsitz," said Herr von Rambow, "I have decided to make a little address to my people this morning; get them together here at nine o'clock, before the house."
"To command," said Fritz, using this form of speech to do honor to the Herr Lieutenant.
"Where is the inspector? I wish to speak to him; there is no hurry, however."
"He has just gone out with Inspector Bräsig."
"Very well. When he comes back."
"Fritz made a particularly fine bow, and went off; but turned back after a little, and asked:--
"Does Herr von Rambow wish the women to come also?
"No, merely the men. However,--wait a moment,--yes, you may tell the housewives to come."
"To command," said Fritz, and went to the village, and told the housewives and the men who were at work about the farmyard, to put on their best clothes. It was eight o'clock already, and if the farm-laborers who were at work in the fields were to be there by nine, and also in state, they must be called. So he started for the fields.