"Hark!" said the boy. "La mitrailleuse!"
"The machine guns!" I echoed.
"Oui, Madame."
That sufficed. "We'll be leaving in ten minutes. Go to the kitchen.
I'll send someone to look after you and we'll go together."
All this had transpired in less time than it takes to tell it. Awakened by the bell, the refugees in the stables came pouring into the courtyard. A second later, George, lantern in hand, came running towards me.
"Tell Leon to harness Cesar—then go and wake Julie and say that we are leaving in ten minutes. I expect her, and her family, with their horse, to be ready. The courtyard in ten minutes. Mind!"
On the landing I met Madame Guix already fully dressed.
"Nous partons," was all I said. She understood and followed me towards Yvonne's room.
The two children, their teeth chattering, looked towards us in terror.
"Nini, put on the warmest clothes you possess and help Madame Guix to dress Yvonne. Then go to the kitchen and wait there without moving."