The boys filed out silently, despite their excitement, but, once outside, a babel of questions and exclamations arose. Deschamps' voice was heard above the rest.
"I know how to handle a rifle, sir!" he said, with eager determination.
The old reservist looked sharply at the lad.
"You have not had your military service, yet," he said.
"I could volunteer," the boy responded. "You said, sir, yesterday, that if there were an invasion, volunteers would be needed."
"Your mother—" the old patriot began, but Deschamps interrupted him.
"Mother is a Belgian, sir," he said. "She'll understand."
"I was counting on your example in the school," objected the master.
The lad shook his head confidently.