ow long will you be here?" asked Desiree, who was eminently practical.
A billet was a misfortune which Charles Darragon had hitherto succeeded
in warding off. He had some small influence as an officer of the
head-quarters' staff.

Barlasch held up a reproving hand. The question, he seemed to think, was
not quite delicate.

"I pay my own," he said. "Give and take--that is my motto. When you have
nothing to give... offer a smile."

With a gesture he indicated the bundle of firewood which Desiree still
absent-mindedly carried against her white dress. He turned and opened a
cupboard low down on the floor at the left-hand side of the fireplace.
He seemed to know by an instinct usually possessed by charwomen and
other domesticated persons of experience where the firewood was kept.
Lisa gave a little exclamation of surprise at his impertinence and his
perspicacity. He took the firewood, unknotted his handkerchief, and
threw his offering into the cupboard. Then he turned and perceived for
the first time that Desiree had a bright ribbon at her waist and on her
shoulders; that a thin chain of gold was round her throat and that there
were flowers at her breast.

"A fete?" he inquired curtly.

"My marriage fete," she answered. "I was married half an hour ago."

He looked at her beneath his grizzled brows. His face was only capable
of producing one expression--a shaggy weather-beaten fierceness. But,
like a dog which can express more than many human beings, by a hundred
instinctive gestures he could, it seemed, dispense with words on
occasion and get on quite as well without them. He clearly disapproved
of Desiree's marriage, and drew her attention to the fact that she was
no more than a schoolgirl with an inconsequent brain, and little limbs
too slight to fight a successful battle in a world full of cruelty and
danger.

Then he made a gesture half of apology as if recognizing that it was no
business of his, and turned away thoughtfully.

"I had troubles of that sort myself," he explained, putting together the
embers on the hearth with the point of a twisted, rusty bayonet,
"but that was long ago. Well, I can drink your health all the same,
mademoiselle."

He turned to Lisa with a friendly nod and put out his tongue, in the
manner of the people, to indicate that his lips were dry.

Desiree had always been the housekeeper. It was to her that Lisa
naturally turned in her extremity at the invasion of her kitchen by Papa
Ba