'I know, Your Excellency.'
'Tell me.'
Bartek began to stammer, 'Because, because—' Then on a sudden Wojtek's words fortunately came into his mind, and he burst out with them quickly, so as not to get confused: 'Because they are Germans too, only worse villains!'
His Excellency's face began to twitch as if he felt inclined to burst out laughing. After a moment, however, His Excellency turned to the Major, and said:
'You are right, Sir.'
Our friend Bartek, satisfied with himself, remained standing as straight as a fiddle string.
'Who won the battle to-day?' the General asked again.
'I, Your Excellency,' Bartek answered without hesitation.
His Excellency's face again began to twitch.
'Right, very right, it was you! And here you have your reward.'