The initiated came back in a hurry, called the whole family to gather round, and feverishly told the news. We ended by putting a bell in the dining-room, known as "the war bell." If one of us heard anything fresh, she rushed into the room and frantically rang the bell. From the garden, the attic, the bedrooms we flocked, allured by the hope of good tidings.
"What has happened? What is going on?"
Marvellous things always happened.
Periodically—at least twice a month—neighbouring towns were retaken by the French.
"You know, that cannonade ... so violent ... simply meant that our soldiers recovered St. Quentin."
Noyon also was reconquered I do not know how many times, and La Fère retaken with bayonets. Once the news really seemed worthy of belief. The Germans had put it up in Laon: "La Fère has been in a cowardly manner retaken by the French." We thought it true. Really, now, who would make up such an adjective? The Germans had certainly used it. On inquiry it was found that the adjective, like the news, had been invented, and the bill had never existed at all. Glorious feats were just as frequent on the front near us.
"The Route des Dames ... you know?... The French have held it since yesterday. And to-night they have carried the village of Ailles."
"Really, I thought they took it last week."
"Last week it was a false report; to-day the thing is certain."
And the Allies! Think how they worked!