"Yes, people say so, but if you notice, it is the drummer who leads the way. All the others have to follow him. I always think of a verse that tells exactly what I think. Shall I say it to you?"
"Yes, if it is not too long," replied both of his companions, and Fritz repeated it.
"My comrades envy me, I know,
They can deny it not;
For drummer of the regiment
Has been my happy lot.
"And at a tap, or drum's loud beat
The soldiers follow me;
The general, even, has no choice,
He follows, too, you see.
"But if it had not been my lot
To be a drummer boy
Then I would be a General;
But not with half the joy."
"He was right!" agreed the boys, "and when we are soldiers we will be drummers."
Chatting amicably, they reached the beautiful flower-bordered walks where they had been the evening before, and sat down under the shade of a great linden to watch the swan swimming about in the lake. They had scarcely been seated when a soldier passed and again the triplets raised their hats, and some street boys who were playing near raised a shout of derision.
"Look at the country boobies taking off their hats to a common soldier!" they cried, and gathered about the three with mocking laughter and jeers.
"Where did you come from to be so green?" asked one of them.
"There is no need for you to know, therefore no need for us to tell you," answered Franz.