But suddenly there was silence, a stiffening up, and a military salute all round.

The door had just opened to admit Major de Trancheaux.
The women drew aside.

A civilian who was on the lookout for him went up, hat in hand, and spoke to him in undertones.
"But, my friend," cried the Major, quitting the importunate with a quite military abruptness, "it's not worth while.

In two months the war will be over!" He came up to us.

He was wearing a white band on his cap.
"He's in command at the station," they say.
He gave us a patriotic address, brief and spirited.