Patachon washed, dressed and fed Cobusse and rolled his cigarettes. He tried to explain to his friend that one can go through life without arms and used such unusual arguments that it caused his comrade to smile at times.
And the latter said amusingly:
"In the meantime, I have an itching—scratch then, my head—not there!—yes, there, how good that feels, Patachon——"
Their morale remained excellent and they were confident of victory.
During their captivity, one rainy day, they were sitting side by side on a bunk and began to talk of their families.
Cochin told how his wife was waiting for him in Panam[34] with their little Hélène, who was almost five. He could not stop talking of the little gamine who was "his own picture."
"You cannot realize, Patachon, how lively and intelligent she is. Ah! what wouldn't I give to clasp her in my arms."
To change the conversation Patachon said to him:
"Some time you'll be eager to scratch yourself, Cobusse—Don't stand on ceremony, you know I'm here for that, my old friend—we must aid each other in life."