As a matter of fact we had offered Herr Mayor nothing. But the poor wretch was as much shocked as if we had proposed to lodge the Crown Prince in a pig-sty.
Well, then, to punish us and to teach us the respect due to German officers, we were condemned to take into our house Herr Mayor and his ten men.
Death-like silence. A thunderbolt had fallen and struck us dumb. The soldier went on:
"Get dinner ready at half-past twelve—a table for one in the dining-room, for men in the kitchen."
At last we found our tongues.
"You talk of dinner! But we have no provisions to cook. Meat is not to be had at the butcher's...."
"You will be provided with meat. We want wine—champagne."
"Champagne!" We laughed in the face of the man.
"There is no wine in our cellar. We drink nothing but water."
"Anyhow, mind you do things properly."