Listen to the words exchanged between them. On this side, in a small group of French and Russians, a young officer is examining a cartridge-box. Although he speaks bad French, he can make himself understood.
“And why that—that bird?” he asks.
“Because it is the cartridge-box of a regiment of the guard, sir. It is ornamented with the imperial eagle.”
“And you—you belong to the guard?”
“Pardon, sir, to the sixth regiment of the line.”
“And this—where was this bought?” The officer points to the little wooden mouth-piece which holds the Frenchman’s cigarette.
“At Balaklava, sir. It is only palm-wood.”
“Pretty,” replies the officer, obliged to make use of the few words he knew, and which, nolens volens, intruded themselves into the conversation.
“You will oblige me if you will keep that as a souvenir of this meeting.”
The Frenchman throws away his cigarette, blows in the mouth-piece, and politely presents it to the officer with a salute. The latter gives him his in exchange. All the French and Russian by-standers smile and seem delighted.