The concierges and the servants began arranging chairs and camp stools around the furnace; the different tenants introduced themselves and their guests. Almost every one was still about when the signal was given, and this cellar where the electric lamps burned brightly soon took on the aspect of a drawing-room, in spite of all. One lone man, however, stood disconsolate, literally suffocating beneath a huge cavalry cape, hooked tight up to his throat. As the perspiration soon began rolling from his forehead, a friend seeking to put him at his ease, suggested he open up his cloak. The gentleman addressed cast a glance over the assembled group, broadened out into a smile, and exclaimed-- "I can't. Only got my night shirt underneath." The hilarity was general, and the conversation presently became bright and sparkling with humorous anecdotes. The officers held their audience spellbound with fear and admiration; the women talked hospital and dress, dress and hospital, finally jesting about the latest restrictions. One lady told the story of a friend who engaged a maid, on her looks and without a reference, the which maid shortly became a menace because of her propensity for dropping and breaking china. One day, drawn towards the pantry by the sound of a noise more terrible than any yet experienced, she found the girl staring at a whole pile of plates--ten or a dozen--which had slipped from her fingers and lay in thousands of pieces on the floor. The lady became indignant and scolded. "Ah, if Madame were at the front, she'd see worse than that!" was the consoling response. "But we're not at the front, I'll have you understand, and what's more neither you nor I have ever been there, my girl." "I beg Madame's pardon, but my last place was in a hospital at Verdun, as Madame will see when my papers arrive." General laughter was cut short by the sound of two explosions. "They're here. They've arrived. It will soon be over now," and like commentaries were added. A servant popped the cork of a champagne bottle, and another passed cakes and candied fruit. An elderly man who wore a decoration, approached the officers. "Gentlemen," said he, "excuse me for interrupting, but do any of you know the exact depth to which an aeroplane bomb can penetrate?" The officers gave him a few details, which, however, did not seem to satisfy the old fellow. His anxiety became more and more visible. "I wouldn't worry, sir, if I were you. There's absolutely no danger down here."