"Not often have I been annoyed as I am this evening," remarks one of us.
"Nor I either!" remarks the other.
"They might have waited till we had finished sentry duty before bombarding us."
Renewed explosions. The door slightly opens, and the head of Corporal Chevalier appears.
"Is the bombardment pretty violent?"
"Bah! Nothing extraordinary."
"The fact is—the lieutenant has sent me to say that, if things begin to look too serious, you may return. Useless to get killed for nothing."
We would gladly have profited by the permission. Chevalier, however, does not belong to our squadron. Consequently we politely reply—
"All right, corporal, our best thanks to the lieutenant. We may as well finish our watch."