At the beginning of the reading a slight growl was heard going round.
Then, as the surnames came out, as they spread out in a crowd around us, there was silence.

This direct contact with the phantoms of the executed set a wind of terror blowing and bowed all heads.
It was the same again on the days that followed.

After parade orders, the commandant, whom we rarely saw, mustered the four companies under arms on some waste ground.

He spoke to us of the military situation, particularly favorable to us on the whole front, and of the final victory which could not be long delayed.

He made promises to us.
"Soon you will be at home," and smiled on us for the first time.