This Solomon's judgment perplexed the audience. Bouillon saved the situation by sticking a knife into a potato:
"'Ere you are, Judsi. 'Ere's a pertater. It's one o' yours by rights. I picked 'em up!"
Gaudéreaux split a piece of cheese. "Rooty?" Lamalou supplied some.
"Take that you old blighter. But another time you better mind or I'll catch you such a biff in the bottom ... just like the sergeant said."
I went away in a state of naïve contentment, thinking that I had not done badly. For the first time I had a glimmering of the meaning of the word Authority. To know how to command men!
I saw Lieutenant Henriot coming towards me from the edge of the wood in a state of wild excitement. He had his field-glasses in his hand.
"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" he cried. "What on earth are we waiting for? I ask you!"
I suggested.
"Well, but.... They seem to be holding us in reserve."
"That's all very well for an hour! But ever since this morning! What the devil is the use of us? Doesn't everything point to the fact that we ought to go to the rescue instead of crossing our arms? No orders.... No orders? And suppose the bearer of them has been killed or taken prisoner! There's only one rule that counts: the same that won all their victories for the Prussians in 1870. That is to keep on till you get to the guns. They're near enough, in all conscience. Never heard such a din."