"There was a little hesitation in the third though." "Among us! really!" He added a few commonplace remarks on our duties which played such an important part in the field. We must prove the value of the material entrusted to us. It was for us to make the most of it. Seizing the opportunity afforded by a brief silence, Playoust thought he might ask him what the probable date of our departure would be.... Sunday was talked of. "I am not here to answer questions, Sergeant!" He warned us that he would inspect us next morning at nine o'clock. "Service marching orders. Ready to leave. And mind you see that nothing is missing!" He dismissed us with a salute. Directly we had got away Guillaumin exclaimed: "A queer fish that!" "You like him?" "Yes, I do. It's men like that that we want!" I protested. My impression of him, on the contrary was an unpleasant one. Who did the man think he was, to treat us as little boys? When we got back into quarters, I made fun of the sudden zeal consuming my comrades. The prospect of this inspection next day scared them. Each one rushed off to put his men on their mettle. Guillaumin especially was quite off his chump. I, for my part, contented myself with warning my corporals that everything must be in order at the time fixed! I should hold them responsible! That done, I did not worry any more! I spent the afternoon resting in my hay-loft. The best of it was that I was sergeant of the day. I ought to have gone and put myself at the disposition of the adjutant. Bah! He could do without me, without the world coming to an end. My predecessor, Belloeil, had told me that I should have to take the men who had been given orders the day before to the barracks on the stroke of five o'clock. They would draw their pay there, and I should countersign the register.... The list was handed over to me. They watched for me at the exit, but I arranged to escape them; De Valpic would take them to-morrow. One of them accosted me in the town; I snubbed him, and he went off cursing and swearing. Guillaumin blamed me for it. "Poor fellow! Suppose he had some purchase to make!" "Oh rot! I'm doing him a good turn; he'll drink a drop less than usual, that's all!" CHAPTER XV AT THE GLOBE CAFÉ We got there early. Nearly all the old "Peloton" lot were to meet there that evening. The large room at the back had been put at our disposal. Punch was served to everyone. Toasts were drunk half as a rag. There was a tap-room atmosphere. Everyone was in uproarious spirits--feverish with the excitement of the departure which was so close at hand. A school-master named Groningaire started off with a song--he had a good voice--then some patriotic verses, while we sang the refrain in chorus. Miquel went to the piano. "Go it! Play us something!" He was known to be a performer. "What style do you want?" "Oh, anything! Improvise something!" "The 'Battle,' g-r-r-r-r-r and symphony!"