Now tell me, how has it gone with my son, the Baas Allan?
Have you looked after him as I told you to do ?' "I answered: 'I have looked after him as well as I could, O reverend sir.

Little enough have I done; still, not once or twice or three times only have I offered up my life for him as was my duty, and yet we both have lived.' And that I might be sure he heard the best of me, as was but natural, I told him the times, Baas, making a big story out of small things, although all the while I could see that he knew exactly just where I began to lie and just where I stopped from lying.

Still he did not scold me, Baas; indeed, when I had finished, he said: "'Well done, O good and faithful servant,' words that I think I have heard him use before when he was alive, Baas, and used to preach to us for such a long time on Sunday afternoons.

Then he asked: 'And how goes it with Baas Allan, my son, now, Hans ?' to which I replied: "'The Baas Allan is going to fight a very great battle in which he may well fall, and if I could feel sorry here, which I can't, I should weep, O reverend sir, because I have died before that battle began and therefore cannot stand at his side in the battle and be killed for him as a servant should for his master!' "'You will stand at his side in the battle,' said your [missing line in printed version--JB] do as it is fitting that you should.

And afterwards, Hans, you will make report to me of how the battle went and of what honour my son has won therein.