The gendarmes guarding the approaches to the bridge notice that I am fatigued. They approach me, asking if I would not like to sit down.
"Did not someone ask you if Captain Capart had returned?"
"No, captain. Wouldn't you like to come in our home where it will be more agreeable than in the road?"
I entered the home of the gendarmes. On the table, which had been set, several covers had been laid with infinite care. A pot of steaming soup simmered over a smouldering fire——
"Oh!—soup!" I cried, sniffing the air——
"If we dared, captain, we would be happy, very happy, if you would ask for a plate—or better—two plates——"
On saying these words, he lifted the lid of the kettle on the fire; then with a ladle filled the soup plate full to the brim——
The soup was excellent!
Since that day, I always regard les cognes[31] with sympathy——