ed. Noon came, and with it my clientele of Officers.

"'_Eh bien, nos pates_? What does this mean!'

"'No, gentlemen, I'm sorry, but I cannot make up my mind to bear it
another day. I'm leaving in a few moments.'

"'What? Leaving? And we who are going out to meet death have got to
face it on empty stomachs?'

"They were right. In a second I thought of my own husband out there in
Lorraine. So I said to them 'Come back at four o'clock and they'll be
ready.'"

And then gently, and as though to excuse herself, she added--

"There are moments though when fear makes you lose your head, but there
doesn't seem to be anything you can't get used to."

"You soon get used to it" was the identical expression of a young
farmer's aid who sold fruit, vegetables and flowers beneath an archway
that had once been the entrance to the Hotel de la Clef. She had
attracted my attention almost immediately, the brilliant colours of her
display, and her pink and white complexion, standing out so fresh and
clear against the background of powder-stained stones and chalky ruin
heaps.

The next day, after an extra heavy nocturnal bombardment, we went out
in search of a melon. A shell had shattered her impromptu showcase,
dislocated a wall on one side of the archway, which menaced immediate
collapse. In fact, the place had become untenable.

"Oh, it's such a nuisance to have to look for another sure spot," was
the only lament. "Just see, there's a whole basket of artichokes gone
to waste--and my roses--what a pity!"

An explosion had gutted the adjacent building leaving an immense breach
opening on to the street from what had once been an office or perhaps a
store-room.

"Just wait a moment," she pleaded, "until I get set up inside there.
You can't half see what I've got out here."

Five minutes later I returned and explained the object of my quest.

"We've only got a very few, Madame, our garden is right in their range,
and we had a whole melon patch destroyed by splinters, only day before
yesterday. I had three this morning, but I sold them all to the
gentleman of the artillery, and I've promised to-morrow's to the
Brigade Officers. I hardly think I shall be able to dispose of any
more before the end of the week. But why don't you go and see 'Pere
Francois'? He might have some."

"You mean old Pere Francois who keeps the public gardens?"

"Yes, Madame."

"Oh, I know him very well. I've often exchanged seeds and sl