Montanus.  If I said it, I am the man to defend it.

Lieutenant.  I dare wager a ducat that you are not clever enough for that.

Montanus.  I will risk a ducat on it.

Lieutenant.  Good.  It is agreed.  Now, let’s hear you.

Montanus.  He whom one loves most, he beats most.  One ought to love nobody more than his parents, ergo there is nobody whom one ought to beat more.  Now, in another syllogism:  what one has received he ought, according to his ability, to return.  In my youth I received blows from my parents.  Ergo I ought to give them blows in return.

Lieutenant.  Enough, enough, I have lost.  Faith, you shall have your ducat.

Montanus.  Oh, you were not in earnest; I will profecto take no money.

Lieutenant.  Upon my word, you shall take it.  I swear you shall.

Montanus.  Then I will take it to keep you from breaking an oath.

Lieutenant.  But may I not also try to turn you into something?  Par exemple, I will turn you into a soldier.

Montanus.  Oh, that is very easy, for all students are soldiers of the intellect.

Lieutenant.  No, I shall prove that you are a soldier in body.  Whoever has taken press-money is an enlisted soldier.  You have done so, ergo—­

Montanus.  Nego minorem.

Lieutenant.  Et ego probo minorem by the two rix-dollars you took into your hand.

Montanus.  Distinguendum est inter nummos.

Lieutenant.  No distinction!  You are a soldier.

Montanus.  Distinguendum est inter the two:  simpliciter and relative accipere.

Lieutenant.  No nonsense!  The contract is closed, and you have taken the money.

Montanus.  Distinguendum est inter contractum verum et apparentem.

Lieutenant.  Can you deny that you have received a ducat from me?

Montanus.  Distinguendum est inter rem et modum rei.

Lieutenant.  Come, follow me straight, comrade!  You must get your uniform.

Montanus.  There are your two rix-dollars back.  You have no witnesses to my taking the money.

SCENE 3

(Enter Jesper and Niels the Corporal.)

Jesper.  I can bear witness that I saw the lieutenant put money into his hand.

Niels.  I too.

Montanus.  But why did I take the money?  Distinguendum est inter—­

Lieutenant.  Oh, we won’t listen to any talk.  Niels, you stay here, while I fetch the uniform. [Exit the Lieutenant.]

Montanus.  Oh, help!

Niels.  If you don’t shut up, you dog, I’ll stick a bayonet through your body.  Hasn’t he enlisted, Mr. Bailiff?

Jesper.  Yes, of course he has.