Minna Von Barnhelm Part 16

FRAN.

I say! one word more! Where are the rest of the Major's servants?

JUST.

The rest? Here, there, and everywhere.

FRAN.

 

Where is William?

JUST.

The valet? He has let him go for a trip.

FRAN.

Oh! and Philip, where is he?

JUST.

The huntsman? Master has found him a good place.

FRAN.

Because he does not hunt now, of course. But Martin?

JUST.

The coachman? He is off on a ride.

FRAN.

And Fritz?

JUST.

The footman? He is promoted.

FRAN.

Where were you then, when the Major was quartered in Thuringia with us that winter? You were not with him, I suppose!

JUST.

Oh! yes, I was groom; but I was in the hospital.

FRAN.

Groom! and now you are!!!!!

JUST.

All in all; valet and huntsman, footman and groom.

FRAN.

Well, I never! To turn away so many good, excellent servants, and to keep the very worst of all! I should like to know what your master finds in you!

JUST.

Perhaps he finds that I am an honest fellow.

FRAN.

Oh! one is precious little if one is nothing more than honest. William was another sort of a man! So your master has let him go for a trip!

JUST.

Yes, he... let him--because he could not prevent him.

FRAN.

How so?

JUST.

Oh! William will do well on his travels. He took master's wardrobe with him.

FRAN.

What! he did not run away with it?

JUST.

I cannot say that exactly; but when we left Nurnberg, he did not follow us with it.

FRAN.

Oh! the rascal!

JUST.

He was the right sort! he could curl hair and shave--and chatter and flirt--couldn't he?

FRAN.

At any rate, I would not have turned away the huntsman, had I been in the Major's place. If he did not want him any longer as huntsman, he was still a useful fellow. Where has he found him a place?

JUST.

With the Commandant of Spandau.

FRAN.

The fortress! There cannot be much hunting within the walls either.

JUST.

Oh! Philip does not hunt there.

FRAN.

What does he do, then?

JUST.

He rides--on the treadmill.

FRAN.

The treadmill!

JUST.

But only for three years. He made a bit of a plot amongst master's company, to get six men through the outposts.

FRAN.

I am astonished; the knave!