In the bright sunlight, and surrounded by flowers, the deserted table and the silent, stately chateau seemed like the sleeping palace of the fairy-tale.
Though the humor of troops retreating is an ugly one, I saw no outrages such as I saw in Belgium.

Except in the villages of Neuf- chelles and Varreddes, there was no sign of looting or wanton destruction.

But in those two villages the interior of every home and shop was completely wrecked.

In the other villages the destruction was such as is permitted by the usages of war, such as the blowing up of bridges, the burning of the railroad station, and the cutting of telegraph-wires.
Not until Bouneville, thirty kilometres beyond Meaux, did I catch up with the Allies.

There I met some English Tommies who were trying to find their column.