"Poor fellow!"
And then:
"You'll take command of the platoon?"
I hesitated:
"Why not you?"
"You're the senior."
As a matter of fact, I had come out a few places above him at the end of our time at the "Peloton."
There was an agitated fusillade behind us, increasing in intensity—Delafosse's platoon at work.
I shouldered my rifle, and went to report the lieutenant's death to the captain. He said, curtly:
"You've got your platoon commander's certificate. You're senior to Guillaumin."