Good-morning, Mr. Secretary.

The Secretary

Good-morning. What can I do for you?

Jean Gilson

(Going nearer.) Don’t you know me, old friend?

The Secretary

Why, it’s you, Jean! The last man I expected to see! Where have you come from? I say, you’re wounded!

Jean Gilson

Yes, a bullet in the arm.... I got it outside Aerschot. They put me into hospital at Winkel, but the Germans entered the town yesterday and, as I could walk, I didn’t wait for them to take me prisoner. I got into these clothes, cleared out, spent part of the night in a ditch, tramped three hours across country and here I am at Stilemonde. I must be off at once, though, and try and catch up my carabineers, who ought to be somewhere near Overloop.

The Secretary