“No. I always like it here. It's the spot in Paris where you always feel well.... When you go out you have all the fun of leaving town, when you go in you have all the fun of coming back to town.... But you aren't eating any brioches?”
“I've eaten one. You eat them. You are hungry.”
“Jeanne, I don't think I have ever been so happy in my life.... It's almost worth having been in the army for the joy your freedom gives you. That frightful life.... How is Etienne?”
“He is in Mayence. He's bored.”
“Jeanne, we must live very much, we who are free to make up for all the people who are still... bored.”
“A lot of good it'll do them,” she cried laughing.
“It's funny, Jeanne, I threw myself into the army. I was so sick of being free and not getting anywhere. Now I have learnt that life is to be used, not just held in the hand like a box of bonbons that nobody eats.”
She looked at him blankly.
“I mean, I don't think I get enough out of life,” he said. “Let's go.”
They got to their feet.