For some time now I have observed the first gesture of a soldier who has just received a letter. He tears it open hurriedly, and, without pulling it out of the envelope, rapidly fingers it to see whether it contains a postal order....
I was out to-night with Déprez, when a woman, powdered and painted, with podgy cheeks and a chest and stomach forming an undivided mass of shaking fat, accosted us:
"Forty-fourth?"
"Yes."
"Do you know Corporal X? Give him the best wishes from Alice. He'll know.... Alice is my name.... You won't forget?... Poor old Joe!..."
Then, as we prepared to go on our way:
"Won't you come in?" she said, with the usual glance of invitation.
"No, thanks," answered Déprez politely, "we haven't got time."
After we had gone a little farther, he added: