We went down into the yard again. My companion was in tremendous form. He held forth on a hundred and one subjects, and I agreed with him absent-mindedly. My thoughts were wandering capriciously. I thought of my brother Victor for whose safe return someone was praying.... A strange insistent idea kept recurring to my mind, of writing to the girl who had thought of me yesterday. CHAPTER XVIII A RETURN OF EGOISM The last distribution of stores had just taken place--biscuits, haversack rations, and iron rations. Cartridges too, fifteen packets a head; a pretty tough load, in addition to everything else. A lot of men were grousing about where they should put them. The worst of it was that there was some surplus. The company commander who was passing said: "You're not going to leave those behind, mind!" I took two extra packets, and Guillaumin four. He remarked: "This is the most necessary part of your equipment, you chaps, don't you make any mistake about that!" He had few imitators. Playoust, who was prowling round, jeered. "For the Bosches? But my dear fellow you won't see any for six weeks!" It was not at all encouraging. Lamalou happened to turn up, and as an old stager, at once exclaimed: "Shove one along, and let's 'ave a look!" He had formerly been in one of the flying columns in Morocco where the replenishment of ammunition was a difficulty. Guillaumin threw him a packet. "Catch!" The other caught it in mid air, then another, and another, five, ten, fifteen. That doubled his load and he went on shouting. "Another! And another! Just to make 'em dance!" His example was decisive. Five minutes later there was nothing left of the heap. "The creature knows how to make himself useful!" I thought. It was a pity he drank so much! He had just got into new and serious trouble. A scandal in a pub, as usual--the officer on rounds had reported him--he had been imprisoned--and the company sergeant-major was innocently congratulating himself upon having got rid of him! But the captain got him out, and made a point of having a heart-to-heart talk with him. What could he have threatened him with? With leaving him at the depôt I think. The other had to promise to be good, he reappeared triumphant. "A regular brick, the Captain." Ravelli could not get over it. * * * * * At two o'clock I began to get ready; we were to start at four. I was fully equipped; nothing was missing. My pockets were stuffed with the endless little necessaries for which there was no room elsewhere: tooth-brush, medicine-case, string, pocket-knife, lighter, electric torch. Bouillon had conscientiously tidied me up and cleaned my equipment. In consideration of what I owed him, I had tipped him ten francs. He hesitated. It was a large sum! I insisted upon his taking it. I did not like being indebted to people.