His elder brother went to the young peasants; he knew quite well what to say to them, for he had been brought up amongst them, and they talked to him without reserve: but it was somewhat of a ceremonious conversation which he carried on in a quiet voice, as he moved from group to group.
Loud bursts of laughter, however, accompanied the lieutenant, when he entered the courtyard shortly afterwards. Accompanied by Fritz Deyke, he spoke to all the young fellows, who, for a joke, arranged themselves in the stiffest of military attitudes, under the auspices of some old cavalry soldiers.
All was life and mirth. At last the lieutenant was surrounded by some young folks, who made Fritz Deyke their spokesman. The lieutenant laughed when he heard their request, nodded his head, and went up to his father.
"They want to sing our Hanoverian air, father, but they wish for your consent: they are not sure if it is quite the thing, they say."
"If it is the thing?" cried the president, cheerfully, "of course it is; let them begin!"
Fritz Deyke, who had followed the lieutenant, hurried back to his friends. They formed a semicircle before the door of the house, and the curious song began, the words of which are scarcely comprehensible, and often altered ad libitum, but which it is the dear delight of every Hanoverian peasant and soldier to sing on every opportunity.
The president was delighted to hear the national song shouted by the merry young peasants with all the strength of their lungs. He joined in the chorus himself, as did the lieutenant, and
"Our king before us we did see,
Riding straight on so merrilie;
And to his brigadier cried he,
'Roystering Hanover boys are we,'"[[4]]
was loudly echoed back from the old castle walls to Blechow. At last the peasants dispersed, and with loud laughter and cheerful conversation returned to the village. The pastor and his daughter also took leave, and went back to the quiet vicarage. Soon the whole castle was hushed in peace and darkness.
Madame von Wendenstein kissed her youngest son affectionately, as she bid him good-night, and her lips softly murmured,