"I am not here to answer questions, Sergeant!"
He warned us that he would inspect us next morning at nine o'clock.
"Service marching orders. Ready to leave. And mind you see that nothing is missing!"
He dismissed us with a salute.
Directly we had got away Guillaumin exclaimed:
"A queer fish that!"
"You like him?"
"Yes, I do. It's men like that that we want!"
I protested. My impression of him, on the contrary was an unpleasant one. Who did the man think he was, to treat us as little boys?
When we got back into quarters, I made fun of the sudden zeal consuming my comrades. The prospect of this inspection next day scared them. Each one rushed off to put his men on their mettle. Guillaumin especially was quite off his chump. I, for my part, contented myself with warning my corporals that everything must be in order at the time fixed! I should hold them responsible!