A mighty shout—another rush, and lo,
A panting dozen of us on a hill,
Besmirched with blood and dust, and all agog
To grasp my hand and hail me as a hero! (Rises.)
That’s all I know of it, except that I
Went in a trooper, and came out a captain!
[Several Soldiers stroll off with Girls. A Soldier remains with Bessie, another with Barbara, Friedrich with Agatha.
Gott. But there—enough of that! Come, tell me now.
(Anxiously.) How fares my cousin Gretchen—is she well?
Bess. (confused). Yes, yes—that is—— (Aside to Soldier.)