. The shed gaped open in front and at the
sides, but the air was not cold.

"We've done with the bad days," said Remus; "shan't see them no more."

"At last!" said Margat.

We stretched ourselves out, elbow to elbow. The one in the dark corner
blew out his candle.

"May the war look slippy and get finished!" mumbled Orango.

"If only they'll let me transfer to the cyclists," Margat replied.

We said no more, each forming that same great wandering prayer and some
little prayer like Margat's. Gently we wrapped ourselves up on the
straw, one with the falling night, and closed our eyes.

* * * * * *

At the bottom of the village, in the long pink farmhouse, there was a
charming woman, who smiled at us with twinkling eyes. As the days
emerged from the rains and fogs, I looked at her with all my soul, for
she was bathed in the youth of the year. She had a little nose and big
eyes and slight fair down on her lips and neck, like traces of gold.
Her husband was mobilized and we paid attentions to her. She smiled at
the soldiers as she went by, and chattered willingly with the non-coms;
and the passage of officers brought her to a standstill of vague
respect. I used to think about her, and I forgot, through her, to
write to Marie.

There were many who inquired, speaking of the farmer's wife, "Any
chance?" But there were many who replied, "Nothing doing."

One morning that was bright above all others, my companions were busy
holding their sides around a tipsy comrade whom they were catechizing
and ragging, and sprinkling now and then with little doses of wine, to
entertain him, and benefit more by him. These innocent amusements,
like those which Termite provoked when he discoursed on militarism and
the universe, did not detain me, and I gained the street.

I went down the paved slope. In gardens and enclosures, the buds were
holding out a multitude of lilliputian green hands, all still closed,
and the apple-trees had white roses. Spring was hastening everywhere.
I came in sight of the pink house. She was alone in the road and she
took all the sunshine for herself. I hesitated, I went by--my steps
slackened heavily--I stopped, and returned towards the door. Almost in
spite of myself I went in.

At first--light! A square of sunshine glowed on the red tiled floor of
the kitchen. Casseroles and basins were shining brightly.

She was there! Standing by the sink she was