Explore "Regina" by Hermann Sudermann on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
When the Schrandeners left the Black Eagle they dispersed to their homes, with the intention of arming themselves to the best of their ability.
Half of them did not turn up again. The others -- about twenty in number -- careered in detachments behind the limping carpenter, round the Castle island in the direction of the Cats' Bridge. Once united under the shelter of the bushes, they believed they would be unseen and unfollowed. They sneaked in silence through the damp grass; only the old drunkard insisted on keeping up an incessant chatter and mumbling. He conversed excitedly with his gun as if it had been a human being -- shook and exhorted it not to fail him. From time to time he held the butt-end to his cheek in an aiming position, and when his range of vision became confused by the sight of his own dancing fingers, or imaginary bats and fireflies, he would take a long pull at his bottle to clear it.