Madame Baudoin looked from me to her husband, her eyes wide open with astonishment. The meal was forgotten and we hurried out into the twilight to seek news. The Etat Major of a cavalry division was to bivouac at Rebais, would be leaving at midnight.
My friends understood, and they who had not as yet seen a soldier since the war began, realized for the first time that they were now in the midst of the retreating army. I begged them to make ready for flight and they hurried homewards while I returned to the bakery to hold council.
As I reached the door, someone touched me on the shoulder and an officer, pointing to the Red Cross armlet I was wearing, said:
"Go to the hospital at once. We need your services. Wounded."
"Very well, sir," I replied, and stepped inside.
"Madame Guix! Madame Guix!" I called in the stairway from the shop.
The others came clattering down all excitement, saying that Madame Guix had been recognized by her uniform and sent flying to the hospital.
Just then a shadow barred the entrance door and turning I saw an army chauffeur standing there.
"A piece of bread for God's sake," he begged.
"What?"