“That old volunteer is always sitting within you,” replied the little knight, with impatience; “you think an order may be delayed for private matters.”
“Well, if an order is dearer to you than Basia, pack her into a wagon and march. I know, I know, you are ready at command to put her in with forks, if it appears that she is unable to sit in the wagon with her own strength. May the hangman take you with such discipline! In old times a man did what he could, and what he couldn’t he didn’t do. You have kindness on your lips, but just let them cry, ‘Haida on the Turk!’ then you’ll spit out your kindness as you would a peachstone, and you will take that unfortunate woman on horseback with a lariat.”
“I without pity for Basia! Fear the wounds of the Crucified!” cried the little knight.
Zaglob
