That done, I did not worry any more! I spent the afternoon resting in my hay-loft.
The best of it was that I was sergeant of the day. I ought to have gone and put myself at the disposition of the adjutant. Bah! He could do without me, without the world coming to an end.
My predecessor, Belloeil, had told me that I should have to take the men who had been given orders the day before to the barracks on the stroke of five o'clock. They would draw their pay there, and I should countersign the register.... The list was handed over to me. They watched for me at the exit, but I arranged to escape them; De Valpic would take them to-morrow.
One of them accosted me in the town; I snubbed him, and he went off cursing and swearing. Guillaumin blamed me for it.
"Poor fellow! Suppose he had some purchase to make!"
"Oh rot! I'm doing him a good turn; he'll drink a drop less than usual, that's all!"
AT THE GLOBE CAFÉ