Unfortunately, on this occasion, the King began with the second question:
“How long have you been in my service?”
“Twenty-one years,” replied the Frenchman.
“What!” said Frederick, “how old are you then?”
“One year,” was the reply.
“Upon my word,” exclaimed his majesty, “you or I must be mad!”
“Both,” replied the soldier, according to what he had been taught.
“Well,” said the astonished King, “this is the first time I have ever been called a madman by one of my guards. What do you mean by it, sir?”
The poor fellow seeing that the King was angry, told him, in French, that he did not understand a word of German.
“Oh! is that so?” said the monarch. “Well, learn it as soon as possible, and I have no doubt that you will make a very good soldier.”