The youths of Class 14 appear on the scene; they are mostly from the Vosges.
We tell them—
"Hullo, young ones! The war will be over before your training is finished."
They agree with the sentiment, though vexed to think it may be true. And they assure us they would do everything required of them, if called upon, just as well as the older men.
"All the same," we reply, "you can't expect us to want the war to continue merely to enable you to give an exhibition of your talents!"
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A musette is a kind of brown cloth satchel worn by a French soldier over the right shoulder and containing his rations, etc.—Translator's Note.