"Thrilling, what?"
"Oh ... quite interesting! You seemed to be listening all right yesterday!"
"Couldn't help myself!"
I undertook to quote the conversation I had had the day before with the little subaltern. To be honest, I exaggerated grossly. I ridiculed poor Henriot, and put on a tremolo, to recall his words about his birthplace where he taught, where his father was buried.
It seemed as if Guillaumin only half liked this skit. He stopped me.
"He may not be a genius, but he's quite a good sort."
I was discontented with myself and with him.
I expected that we should be sent to relieve the 21st in the trenches. I was mistaken. It was the 23rd. Our turn was skipped. I don't know why.
This cannonade which still persisted and seemed to be drawing nearer, unnerved me. Where were they fighting? What approximately were the lines of tactical defence?
De Valpic to whom I happened to put the question, informed me.