He whipped me--across the courtyard--out into the street--whipped me like a beast!

Major (after a silence).

Where was your sabre? You could have run him through.

(Fritz silent, with downcast eyes.)

Major.

Where was your sabre, I ask you?

Fritz.

It was--not--at hand, father.

Major.

It was not at hand.... Hm!... Now I understand it all. Surely there is nothing left to wish! And this catastrophe occurred when?