“I lost my bearings,” replied the officer; “lost them completely. Then I recognized this house. I've eaten nothing since morning, nor my men either.”
“But I'm quite alone with my mother this evening,” said Berthine.
“Never mind,” replied the soldier, who seemed a decent sort of fellow. “We won't do you any harm, but you must give us something to eat. We are nearly dead with hunger and fatigue.”
Then the girl moved aside.
“Come in;” she said.
Then entered, covered with snow, their helmets sprinkled with a creamy-looking froth, which gave them the appearance of meringues. They seemed utterly worn out.
The young woman pointed to the wooden benches on either side of the large table.
“Sit down,” she said, “and I'll make you some soup. You certainly look tired out, and no mistake.”
Then she bolted the door afresh.
She put more water in the pot, added butter and potatoes; then, taking down a piece of bacon from a hook in the chimney earner, cut it in two and slipped half of it into the pot.