"Where were you looked after?"
"At the field hospital.... A dozen or so out of the company were there."
"Do you know what became of...?"
He read my thoughts....
"Sergeant Frémont?"
"Frémont, yes?"
"He died ... in two days. They couldn't move him."
I left him. Little Frémont dead! It seemed impossible, and yet I had foreseen it. The tragic destiny weighed on us all! Again I saw him, this comrade of my youth, seated on the bench in the garden, beside his love, with the clear eyes....
I went back to my companions. Guillaumin and De Valpic were together, and Humel not far away. I called him, and told them the sad news, in an under-tone.
"It's quite certain then?"