"True; 'tis no wonder that they fight when there is naught but fighting in the land." Isabeau sighed. "Would there were no war. But there, child, let's talk of it no more. I weary of strife, and tales of strife. Since the boys are somewhere along the river they needs must pass the bridge to come home. Do you, therefore, wait here for them, and tell them that they are to bring the tables and the paddles home. I will go on to get the supper." "Very well, mother," assented Jeanne. So while her mother went back to the cottage, the great pannier of clothes towering high above her head, the little girl rinsed the box-shaped washing tables carefully, then drew them high on the banks; after which she sat down near the bridge to watch for her brothers. She did not have long to wait. Suddenly there came shouts and cries from the Lorraine side of the river, and soon there came Jean and Pierre, her brothers, followed by other Domremy lads running at full speed, and in their wake came many Maxey boys, hurling insults and stones at their fleeing adversaries. On Pierre's head was a long, deep gash that was bleeding freely, and at that sight Jeanne burst into tears. She could not bear the sight of blood, and a fight made her cower and tremble. At this juncture there came from the fields Gérardin d'Épinal, a Burgundian, and the only man in Domremy who was not of the King's party. He gave a great laugh as he saw the boys of his own village running from those of Maxey. Then knowing how loyal Jeanne was to the Dauphin, he cried teasingly: "That is the way that the Burgundians and English are making the 'Little King of Bourges' run. (A term applied to the Dauphin Charles by his enemies.) Soon he will be made to leave France, and flee into Spain, or perhaps Scotland, and then we will have for our Sovereign Lord, Henry King of England and France." At that Jeanne grew white. Her tears ceased to flow, and she stood up very straight and looked at him with blazing eyes. "I would that I might see thy head struck from thy body," she said in low intense tones. Then, after a moment, she crossed herself and added devoutly: "That is, if it were God's will, Gérardin d'Épinal." The words were notable, for they were the only harsh words the girl used in her life. Long afterward Gérardin d'Épinal told of them. Now he had the grace to blush, for he had not meant to rouse the little creature to such passion. With a light laugh he turned and went his way, saying: "Don't take such things so much to heart, Jeanne." The Domremy boys had reached their own side of the river by this time, and therefore were safe from further attack from their rivals. Now they gathered about Jeanne, for they had heard what she had said to Gérardin. "How did you come to speak so to him, Jeanne?" cried Jean. Jeanne hung her head.