there! And there's another matter. While you are
about it, you might just mention that stuck-up Reimers. This entire
winter he has kept away, quite without excuse, from all society. Just
tell the colonel that I don't think that proper in a young officer."

Lischke was not as a rule shy or in awe of his superior officer, but
his wife's commission gave him an ill-defined uneasiness, so that he
boggled over his errand.

The colonel let him have his say out. Then he began, in his somewhat
nervous, quick way:

"My dear major, give my compliments to Frau Lischke, and tell her that
young Reimers is preparing for an examination, so that she will
understand his seclusion. For my part, Lischke, if Reimers had turned
up at every dance of which your wife is patroness, or which she has
helped to get up, I should have been surprised. There may be C.O.'s who
think differently; for my own part, so long as I have the honour of
commanding the regiment, such festivities shall only be obligatory on
those youngsters whose manners need touching up. That that is not the
case with Reimers does not, I hope, escape the penetration of your
excellent wife. That is my official view of the case; as to my personal
feeling, which I give Frau Lischke in strict confidence: it is that I
wish the devil would take all these everlasting balls and parties!

"With regard to Lieutenant Guentz's wife, I beg you to express to your
good lady my very respectful surprise at her question. If the Ministry
of War has found no fault with the young lady, then surely the ladies
here may be satisfied. Perhaps they are afraid that one who has been a
governess may outshine them in wisdom? Well, of course, that may very
well be! I do not want to be disagreeable, my dear major; so please
make my views known to the ladies as tenderly as you can."

Reimers met Guentz at the station. The dear fellow had grown somewhat
stouter. No wonder, considering he had been away from duty for a good
year.

As they walked away the elder officer looked keenly at the younger.

"Reimers," he said, delightedly, "you look thoroughly well. African
traveller! Boer campaigner! Prisoner in a fortress! Which has suited
you best?"

"Probably all three," answered Reimers; "the one counteracted the
other."

"Was that so? Am I not the only destroyer of illusions? You must tell
me all about everything, won't you?"

"All to _you_ certainly."

"That's right. Well, to begin with, how does the g