Page:Magdalen by J S Machar.pdf/169

 The burgomaster was very angry at his dinner: “It is your talking that has done it all!” he accused his spouse. “You have attacked that girl like hornets! Besides, the whole lot of you are no better! There will be now an end of Mr. Burgomaster!”

Then the burgomistress arose, returned ten words for every word of his, and splendidly defended her honor and that of her followers; then a few tears trickled down her cheeks, she wept out loud, and the burgomaster turned his eyes to the ceiling, and began peacefully his defence: “Aber, Kätzchen, I did not say all that”

It was now twenty years since Corporal Václav Benda had come home from the war. On his breast gleamed a cross (he had earned it at Solferino) and a silver medal (at Sadowa). He returned to his native home with the idea of forming a society of brave veterans, according to the custom of other towns. Some fifty good men joined it. It