Like rabbits we run and hide in our holes.
Jules appears, carrying a hen which he has come across somewhere and which Varlet has cooked without drawing or eviscerating it. The mistake is regrettable. All the same, Corporal Belin goes too far in refusing his share, protesting he will not eat a morsel of "that filth." Varlet gets vexed. Being accustomed to speak at public meetings, he has a tongue. But Belin, who has served nine years in the Foreign Legion, has principles of his own.
"I have served in Morocco and Western Algeria," he says, "and have often gone without food altogether, but I have never seen any one cook a hen undrawn."
And he sticks to his opinion.
Thereupon Varlet calls him a savage.
"A savage!" shrieks Belin, "a savage because I refuse to eat a hen's entrails!"
The dispute becomes embittered. Varlet forgets his position. Belin points to his red stripes and furiously sputters out threats.
The lieutenant intervenes and peace is made. Varlet acknowledges that it would have been better to draw the fowl, whilst Belin consents to eat a wing without making a wry face about it.
Tuesday, 29th; Wednesday, 30th September.