"Good-morning, Father. I hope I have kept my word to wear the
Emperor's uniform with honour."
He could not find anything to say to me. He called for Mother in a
choking voice.
She came down the stairs, looked at me for a moment, and sat down on
a step in weak surprise. Then she began to cry, and came running to
me. The old gentleman by now was wiping his eyes too.
Where had I been? What had I done? There were so many questions
that I could not answer half. We sat there, and I told as much as I
could. Soon the old gentleman had gathered his wits. He began to
boast.
"You see, my dear wife. Did I not always tell you 'He is a
Luckner--he will amount to something--do not worry about him'?
Behold I was right. He is a Luckner."
Telegrams were sent to sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, and aunts.
There was a great family reunion, and I was petted like a child.
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