head, and stuck his thumbs into the arm-holes of his long red vest, but
straightened himself to his full height, and his eyes sparkled, when
the district forester, who knew exactly how to deal with Joergli, added
that it would be well if the clergy were not allowed to entirely
monopolize everything, even the soldier's associations, and to dedicate
the flag; it would be particularly appropriate that a man like Joergli
should drive the nail that fastened the flag to the staff: the Emperor
Joseph would certainly have approved of that.

When the Emperor Joseph was mentioned it seemed as if a new life were
awakened in Joergli. Around Emperor Joseph, who was venerated like a
holy martyr, were gathered recollections of Joergli's father, which he
almost considered events in his own life.

He clenched his hands, and raising his arms, said, "Very well; so let
it be."

He was led to the platform, and boundless were the acclamations of joy
when he appeared, supported on the right hand by Titus, and on the left
by the lieutenant.

There fell such a silence that the people noticed the whirring of the
wings of a pair of doves which flew over the speaker's stand. Pointing
to them, Joergli cried:

"There they fly! One says not to the other, 'We will turn this way or
that.' Their flight agrees by nature. So it is. Agreeing by nature--"

He paused, and seemed unable to proceed. The figure had evidently led
him off from what he meant to say. He looked around perplexed, and
seemed not to be able to speak another word--yes, even to have
forgotten that he stood upon the platform.

His two companions above, and the audience below, stood in painful
embarrassment. It was wrong to have brought an old man of a hundred on
the stand.

Just then the district forester, who stood near, said audibly, "Emperor
Joseph."

Joergli opened his mouth wide and nodded. Yes, now he had his
guiding-star again. Almost inaudibly, and in a very confused manner, he
spoke of the Emperor Joseph and of the new emperor. Only this much was
plain--that he considered the present emperor as the direct successor
and continuer of the Emperor Joseph's struggles against the Pope.

Titus handed Joergli a nail, and the lieutenant gave him a hammer. He
nailed the flag to the flag-staff, and this widely visible act was more
than the best speech; and he left the stand amid cheers and the sounds
of trumpets.

He immediately called for his wagon. He wished to go home, and