It was the first time I had called her by her name. She hesitated a little, and then answered:
"And you too, you will be a good comrade, will you not, Jean?"
"Oui, ma belle." And I bit off the end of a cigar, while she struck a match to light it for me.
Just as I began to smoke there came a knock at the door. I shouted out "Entrez," and the commandant came in. I put down the cigar and stood to attention.
"Everything goes well, is it not?" he asked.
"Yes, monsieur le commandant," Giulia replied; "I can soon repay some of the money advanced by you and the other officers."
"No, my child," the commandant said; "you are the daughter of the regiment now. The battalion must be father and mother to you; we cannot accept repayment."
"But my mother paid back the money given to her by the officers."
"Yes, my dear child; but your mother was not born in the regiment, and though we lent to her we give to you. We gave it, indeed, and did not expect to be repaid. I was a sub-lieutenant then, and I remember all. She insisted, and we were compelled to accept. With you it is different; we will insist, and you must not refuse. How do you like the sergeant-major of the canteen?" he went on. We all laughed at the queer title; no one had ever heard of such a rank.