The German shrugged his shoulders.
"We do not allow disrespect from men to their officers," was the reply.
"In time of war he would be shot like a dog."
"And in peace?" asked Bob.
"Ah—in peace, he would be treated in such a fashion that he would not soon offend again."
It was at that time, too, that Bob realised the terrible disappointment among the German troops at the progress of the war. It had been given out during its early stages, that the German Army would be in Paris by the end of August. At first their boasts seemed likely to be fulfilled, but as the days went by—as August passed and September came to an end, and then, not only did they not find themselves in Paris, but were driven back mile by mile, until they were nearing their own borders—they were not only dismayed, but astonished. It seemed impossible to them that anything could stand before the German Army.
"It's you English," said one to him. "In 1870 we crushed the French
Army in six weeks, and we should have done the same now but for you."
"And the contemptible little army has given you a great deal of trouble?" said Bob.
"That was one of the Kaiser's jokes, but we will pay you out for it."
Upon this they turned the conversation into such a channel that Bob was not slow to see their purpose. They were trying to obtain information from him, and, as may be imagined, he did not fall readily into their trap; indeed, they soon began to regard him as a hopeless case.
He saw, too, that his position was becoming desperate. The German officers were not cheerful and gay as our own were. Even in spite of the most terrible fighting and awful suffering the English had kept cheerful.