"I just wanted to make sure these uniforms were burned," Sim said and laughed. "German farmers are thrifty people. They hate to burn good wool cloth, which can't be bought for any price here. These people have only ersatz cloth."
"We go now," the German said and scowled at Stan.
"Did he burn them?" Stan asked.
"He buried them in his orchard. We don't have time to waste having him dig them up," Sim answered.
O'Malley had heard the talking and joined them in the kitchen.
"Everybody's here, so let's go," Stan said. He was trying to remember if Sim Jones had ever talked to him about his past. He could not remember the flier ever having said much about himself.
The German took the lead and they followed him out through a back door. They walked down a path and came to a small barn. Stan heard a horse snort. The German spoke softly to Sim in German.
O'Malley answered the man in German. The fellow jumped and O'Malley laughed. Too late Stan kicked O'Malley warningly upon the shin. Stan frowned. He should have warned O'Malley. Now the man knew he could speak and understand German. Sim looked at O'Malley and laughed.
"It seems we will be able to get on very well with two of us speaking the native tongue," he said.
"You talk Kraut?" O'Malley asked.