Scene 2 Summary

For two years, Mother Courage crosses Poland with the Second Regiment of the Finnish Army, selling drinks, boots and supplies. In 1626, Courage is selling a capon to the general's cook. Everyone is hungry since is a siege underway. While they're haggling in the kitchen, the general enters his tent next door, along with a chaplain and Eilif.

The general is praising Eilif for acts of heroism and offers him dinner. The cook and Courage overhear this, so now the cook must pay top dollar to get the capon for the general and his guest. While she helps the cook prepare the bird for roasting, Fierling listens to her son as he describes his deeds.

Eilif became aware that local peasants were hiding their oxen from the soldiers. He cut his men's emergency rations, so they'd be extra hungry, and then followed the peasants...