But no light appears, and after half an hour the firing inexplicably ceases. We return. At midnight another alarm, as incomprehensible as the former. Three or four men are wounded. The utmost calm throughout the rest of the night.
Wednesday, 14th; Thursday, 15th; Friday, 16th; Saturday, 17th October.
We are evidently carrying on a siege war, though of course no one expected that it would be a ride over. Apart from the four hours' sentry duty, we have nothing to do. Jules continues to go backwards and forwards between the trenches and Bucy for supplies. The fire for our own private cooking is not allowed to die out.
Last night Reymond and myself were up from one till three. A terrible artillery duel was being fought in the right sector, towards Vailly. The sky was streaked with great flashes of light. No firing on our side.
We are sitting close to our dug-out, discussing Wagner, rifle in hand. The conversation, which began on a low key, quickly grows animated, and the hum of our voices goes out upon the night air. Suddenly the leafy screen, which serves as a door, divides, and Roberty appears on all-fours. His head is enveloped in a passe-montagne and the little we see of his face expresses annoyance and irritation.
"Aren't you two going to hold your tongues?"
"Well, we are only having a word or two. Cannot one talk in war-time?"
"You've been preventing me from sleeping the last quarter of an hour, with your intellectual...."
"Intellectual, indeed! Didn't you go to the Ecole Normale as a boy?"
"You're a couple of idiots. If I hear another word, you must take the consequences."