The swollen body of the myriad-legged gray centipede was as yet far behind.
As we sat in chairs tilted against the wall and watched, we witnessed an interesting little side play.

At the first coming of the German skirmishers the people of this quarter of the town had seemed stupefied with amazement and astonishment.

Most of them, it subsequently developed, had believed right up to the last minute that the forts of Liege still held out and that the Germans had not yet passed the gateways of their country, many kilometers to the eastward.

When the scouts of the enemy appeared in their streets they fell for the moment into a stunned state.

A little later the appearance of a troop of Uhlans had revived their resentment.