This Month's Installment
He spoke quite plainly and simply, but even so animatedly that he also moved them, and every eye of these poor people hung on his lips. When he finished, they sat quite a while, silently folded their hands, and on the tired faces there was the trace of new courage and of new hope. -The work was done. Edith said goodbye to Frau Lisa, in order to return to the military hospital. Hans, who still had an evensong to hold, accompanied her.Still, the streets were filled with refugee---193---wagons; close by them, one drove a herd of cattle and a train of horses, beautiful, stately animals."These are the remnants of a breed such as only East Prussia knows," said Edith. "Look at the splendid mares there!""Wonderful that they have not yet been conscripted.""They are of the finest blood and surely belong to a small farmer.""I thought to a greater owner.""That could also be. But even the little people often have the most beautiful horses, which they themselves have raised with effort and trouble. They form the foundation of the restocking of our cavalry. Some, however, especially the brood mares, the farmer does not sell at all, but rather harnesses them in front of his own wagon, full of pride, and he brings only her foals to the market again.""And now loot of this war! Just like the beautiful livestock over there, which now, however, are good for the slaughtering ax, at best. Out of these trains of refugees, these sad rows of wagons, there are built up before my eyes impressive goods, with mighty barns and stables, prospering farmsteads, impeccably led according to the demand for the newest achievements in agricultural territory, stately farmsteads, small properties, built and increased with sour sweat, thriving prosperity, never-resting diligence. And now, that all goes up in flames or will be driven out into the street!"
Commentary
I don't think that "the little people" ("die kleinen Leute") in Edith's comment "even the little people often have the most beautiful horses" is meant to have a negative connotation, but I couldn't think of a way to avoid it in my translation.
