t of his comrades whom he
would now meet again.

In this glad moment he could tolerate them all. Their various defects,
whether small or great, now appeared less offensive than of yore; and
in any case it was kind of them and a great compliment to him that on
this very day of his return they should have arranged a feast. It is
true he rather dreaded this feast, which was sure to end in the usual
way--general drunkenness--but it was well meant, and there was at least
one advantage in it, that he would at once be made acquainted with all
the details of garrison gossip; for, though altogether beneath
contempt, they must be known in order to avoid giving unintentional
offence.

At the door of his quarters he found waiting the gunner who had been
appointed as his servant.

"Gunner Gaehler, as servant to Lieutenant Reimers," he announced
himself.

Reimers took a good look at the man. The sergeant-major seemed to have
done well for him in this respect. Gaehler was a smart fellow, not
exactly tall, but well proportioned, and very clean. His hair smelt a
little too strongly of pomade, and wax had not been spared on his
fashionably-stiffened moustache.

When Reimers drew his bunch of keys out of his pocket to unlock the
door, Gaehler hastened to take them from his hand, and opened the door
for the lieutenant to pass in before him. He quickly laid his bundle of
clothes upon a chair, and at once helped to take off Reimer's helmet,
shoulder-belt, and scarf.

The officer smiled at such excessive zeal.

"How is it that you are so well up in this work?"

"I was for a time servant to Captain von Wegstetten, sir."

"Indeed? And why did you leave him?"

Gaehler hesitated a little; then he resumed glibly: "Please do not think
badly of me, sir. There were difficulties; the servant-girl slandered
me; you will understand, sir."

He stood there embarrassed, polishing the chin-piece of the helmet with
the sleeve of his coat.

Reimers felt amused at his choice manner of expressing himself. "So you
can't leave the women alone?" he asked. "Well, with me you will not be
led into temptation."

Gaehler modestly demurred: "I beg your pardon, sir; but in that case it
was really not at all my fault."

The lieutenant laughed. "Oh, all right!" he said; "but before that,
where were you?"

The gunner drew himself up proudly, and replied with dignity: "I was
groom to Count Vocking, in Dresden."

"Aha, that accounts for it!"

Reimers