But this time he
hardly examined the parts that were shown to him and his monotonous
verdict took wings into the street. "Fit to march--good--consultation
without penalty."[1]

[Footnote 1: As a precaution against "scrimshanking," a penalty
attaches to "consultations" which are adjudged uncalled-for.--Tr.]

"Consultations," which merely send the soldier back into the ranks
continued indefinitely. No one was exempted from marching. Once we
heard the husky and pitiful voice of a simpleton who was dressing again
in recrimination. The doctor argued, in a good-natured way, and then
said, his voice suddenly serious, "Sorry, my good man, but I cannot
exempt you. I have certain instructions. Make an effort. You can
still do it."

We saw them come out, one by one, these creatures of deformed body and
dwindling movement, leaning on each other, as though attached, and
mumbling, "Nothing can be done, nothing."

Little Melusson, reserved and wretched, with his long red nose between
his burning cheekbones, was standing among us in the idle file with
which the morning seemed vaguely in fellowship. He had not been to the
inspection, but he said, "I can carry on to-day still; but to-morrow I
shall knock under. To-morrow----"

We paid no attention to Melusson's words. Some one near us said,
"Those instructions the major spoke of, they're a sign."

* * * * * *

On parade that same morning the chief, with his nose on a paper, read
out: "By order of the Officer Commanding," and then he stammered out
some names, names of some soldiers in the regiment brigaded with ours,
who had been shot for disobedience. There was a long list of them. At
the beginning of the reading a slight growl was heard going round.
Then, as the surnames came out, as they spread out in a crowd around
us, there was silence. This direct contact with the phantoms of the
executed set a wind of terror blowing and bowed all heads.

It was the same again on the days that followed. After parade orders,
the commandant, whom we rarely saw, mustered the four companies under
arms on some waste ground. He spoke to us of the military situation,
particularly favorable to us on the whole front, and of the final
victory which could not be long delayed. He made promises to us.
"Soon you will be at home," and smiled on us for the first time. He
said, "Men, I do not know what is going to happen, but when it should
be necessary