Svejk batman to Lieutinant Lukás

 

And so it happened that the Good soldier Svejk could report to the lieutenant when he returnedfrom the barracks: ‘Humbly report, sir,I´ve fulfilled all the lady´swishes and served her decently according to your orders.’

‘Thank you, Svejk,’replied the lieutenant. ‘And did she have lots of whishes?’

‘About six,’ answered Svejk.’And now she is sleeping as though quite exhausted by the ride. I did obey her slightest whim, sir.’

(Pag. 183)

 

Jaroslav Hasek describes with delicate humor in this passage Svejk's idiocy or wisdom, depending on how you look at it.

The brave soldier obeys his superior's orders to the letter: You must behave gallantly and serve her decently.

The orders he receives from the lieutenant are precise and clear: Svejk must comply with the lady's wishes 'politely and tactfully', and the subordinate complies as best he knows how.

From my Borstal

LDR

 

 

The Good Soldier Svejk AND HIS FORTUNES IN THE WORLD WAR.- Jaroslav Hasek.- Penguin Books, London, 1973 (Translation from the Czech by Cecil Parrot with the original illustrations by Josef Lada)