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The regimental commander, going up to the line himself, ordered

the soldiers to change into their greatcoats. The company

commanders ran off to their companies, the sergeants major began

bustling (the greatcoats were not in very good condition), and

instantly the squares that had up to then been in regular order

and silent began to sway and stretch and hum with voices. On all

sides soldiers were running to and fro, throwing up their

knapsacks with a jerk of their shoulders and pulling the straps

over their heads, unstrapping their overcoats and drawing the

sleeves on with upraised arms.

In half an hour all was again in order, only the squares had

become gray instead of black. The regimental commander walked

with his jerky steps to the front of the regiment and examined it

from a distance.

"Whatever is this? This!" he shouted and stood still. "Commander

of the third company!"