“Their appearance bears witness to the fact that all is lost,” I said.
“And how about the transfer?” the General asked. “The Battalion is waiting for you to come and take it to a more sympathetic sector.”
I answered that orders would soon arrive for the transfer, and showed the certificate authorizing me to command without a committee. The General was glad for my sake.
Meanwhile, my girls learned of my arrival. They formed ranks, desiring to give me a cheerful welcome. My presence seemed to put heart into them. After thanking them for their welcome, I went with them to mess. It was my custom to eat the same food as the girls. Only I seldom ate with them. Before eating, I usually supervised the mess, satisfying myself that there was plenty of food and that all was in good order. I knew from experience that there is nothing like food for keeping up a soldier’s heart.
Was it my promotion that was the cause of a happy mood, or my return to the girls, to whom I had grown deeply attached? I don’t know. But after dinner it occurred to me that it would be the right thing to let the girls have some fun. So I suggested a game, and my soldiers took up the idea with delight. As the game proceeded, many men gathered round the circle in which it was going on. They watched longingly, clearly desirous to play too, but not daring to join in for fear lest I should order the girls away. It gave me pleasure to observe how these grown-up children longed to take part in the sports. But I pretended not to notice it.
Finally they sent several delegates to express their desire to me.
“Captain,” the men said bashfully, “we want to speak to you.”
“All right, speak out,” I answered, “only don’t address me as an officer. Call me plain Yashka or Botchkareva.”
“May we be allowed to take part in the game?” they asked, encouraged by my words.
“Yes, but only on condition that you do not molest my girls and consider them as fellow-soldiers only,” I declared.