ed
with officers and aristocratic nurses--so many lives turned inside out
and habits cut in two. But hope bedazzled all anxieties and stopped up
the gaps for the moment. And we admired the beauty of military
orderliness and France's preparation.

Sometimes, at windows or street-corners, there were apparitions--people
covered with new uniforms. We had known them in vain, and did not know
them at first. Count d'Orchamp, lieutenant in the Active Reserves, and
Dr. Bardoux, town-major, displaying the cross of the Legion of Honor,
found themselves surrounded by respectful astonishment. Adjutant
Marcassin rose suddenly to the eyes as though he had come out of the
earth; Marcassin, brand-new, rigid, in blue and red, with his gold
stripe. One saw him afar, fascinating the groups of urchins who a week
ago threw stones at him.

"The old lot--the little ones, and the middling ones and the big
ones--all getting new clothes!" says a triumphant woman of the people.

Another said it was the coming of a new reign.

* * * * * *

From the Friday onwards I was engrossed by my own departure. It was
that day that we went to buy boots. We admired the beautiful
arrangement of the Cinema Hall as a Red Cross hospital.

"They've thought of everything!" said Marie, examining the collection
of beds, furniture, and costly chests, rich and perfected material, all
arranged with delighted and very French animation by a team of
attendants who were under the orders of young Varennes, a pretty
hospital sergeant, and Monsieur Lucien Gozlan, superintendent officer.

A center of life had created itself around the hospital. An open air
buffet had been set up in a twinkling. Apolline came there--since the
confusion of the mobilization all days were Sundays for her--to provide
herself with nips. We saw her hobbling along broadwise, hugging her
half-pint measure in her short turtle-like arms, the carrot slices of
her cheek-bones reddening as she already staggered with hope.

On our way back, as we passed in front of Fontan's cafe, we caught a
glimpse of Fontan himself, assiduous, and his face lubricated with a
smile. Around him they were singing the Marseillaise in the smoke. He
had increased his staff, and he himself was making himself two, serving
and serving. His business was growing by the fatality of things.

When we got back to our street, it was deserted, as of yore. The
faraway flutterings of th