"At all events, he is really coming; that's the main point." Destival ran back to inform the ladies that his friend Dalville would soon be there; that he had stopped to see a friend, but that he could not be long. "Why, I didn't know that he knew anyone in this vicinity," said Madame Destival in surprise. "Mon Dieu! this gentleman keeps us on the anxious seat a long while," said the vivacious Athalie, leaving the table; while La Thomassinière, annoyed that a thought should be given to anybody but himself, paced the floor a few moments, then stamped violently, and put his hand to his forehead. "Bless my soul!" he cried, "I had almost forgotten. What time is it? Not one yet? Is there a post office[A] anywhere near?" [A] French _poste_; when used alone the meaning is ambiguous and depends on the context. Hence the misunderstanding. "Do you mean a donkey post?" asked Monin. "No, for letters, of course!" "Oh, yes! on the second street. By the way, I believe--I won't say for sure, but I'll tell you----" "I'll go there at once; I shall be in time." And Monsieur de la Thomassinière rushed from the room as if he would overturn everybody, paying no heed to Destival, who shouted after him: "Stay here; I'll send it for you. Besides, your own servants are here." The speculator darted out across the fields, and having reached a dense thicket, lay down on the grass and went to sleep, saying to himself: "A man like me must never have a moment to himself." The ladies returned to the salon. Monsieur Destival went down to Bertrand, and Monin, seeing that everybody had left the table, concluded to do likewise and followed his host. As soon as Bertrand had taken some refreshment, Monsieur Destival went to him and begged him to give him a lesson in drilling and giving orders. The ex-corporal was very willing to do anything that recalled glorious memories. He repaired with Monsieur Destival to the terrace in the garden, where the latter had his rifle brought to him, and a foil which he used as a sword, and stood as straight as a ramrod as he carried out Bertrand's orders. Monin, who had followed them, thought that it was courteous to do as his host did; he took a spade in lieu of a musket, and, standing behind his neighbor, followed him through "right shoulder," "left shoulder," "present arms," etc., pausing only to use his snuff-box. For more than an hour the gentlemen had been on the terrace with Bertrand, who would gladly have passed the day in such a pleasant occupation. Monsieur Destival, ambitious to outshine the rural constables, began to carry himself like a Prussian grenadier; and Monin, perspiring profusely in his efforts to do as well as his host, did not notice that, while taking aim, presenting arms and grounding arms with his sword, he had pushed back his cap and wig, thereby giving himself a most swaggering appearance.