His cheerfulness encouraged me, and I replied:
"Burguet, how is it they can take rational men, heads of families, and make them destroy themselves? I cannot comprehend it; no, there is no sense in it!"
"Ah," said he, "what would you have? If they can't get thrushes, they must take blackbirds."
I could not smile at his pleasantries, and he said:
"Come, Moses, don't be so disconsolate; this is only a formality. We have troops enough for active service; we shall have only to mount guard. If sorties are to be made, or attacks repulsed, they will not take you; you are not of an age to run, or to give a bayonet stroke! You are gray and bald. Don't be troubled!"
"Yes," I said, "that is very true, Burguet, I am broken down—more so, perhaps, than you think."
"That is well," said he, "but go and take your musket and cartridge-box."
"And are we not going to stay in the barracks?"
"No, no!" he cried, laughing aloud, "we are going to live quietly at home."
He shook hands with me, and I went under the arch of the mayoralty. The stairway was crowded with people, and we heard names called out.