Floris
Tell your horrible Kaiser to put that in his pipe and smoke it!
Otto
(Suddenly drawing himself up, in a threatening attitude.) Mind what you’re saying!
The Burgomaster
Come, come, stop this fooling and let us talk sense. We must not lose our self-control. The Major is a monster, a brute, anything you please; but, placed as he is, he’s right. He’s obeying the regulations; and, again in his position, he can’t act differently.... I will ask Otto once again, is it quite certain that he will not reconsider his decision? People often change their minds at the last moment; and even the most obstinate man will let himself think.
Otto
As I know him—and I have known him for more than ten years—he will have everything carried out exactly as he has decided.
The Burgomaster
Can’t he have the firing-party commanded by a sergeant?