"You don't mean to say that they have granted you that! Why, man alive! it means a pension of £24 a year for life!"
I was astounded. Half an hour later the Commission had retired, and I suggested stopping at a café on our way back to barracks. The Sergeant assented, and I offered him and my comrades a bottle of champagne to celebrate this glorious day—the happiest day in my existence, I believe. When I returned to the barracks I met Sergeant de Cormet in the yard.
"Where are you coming from?" he cried: "I thought that you were at the infirmary."
"Yes, Sergeant, but I have just come from a turn in the town."
"We shall see about that," he answered.
"I went out on duty, Sergeant."
"I'll make sure of that; but in any case," he sneered, "you won't be always at the infirmary, and when you come out you will soon find yourself in the wrong box."
"I don't think so, Sergeant," I said, laughing; "in fact, I am going to Paris to-night."
"With whose leave, please?"