"Yes, it is evident that men will have to accept new ideas."
"Say, that unlucky Gendron has had an attack."
"What, at his age?"
"Yes, he is still young; and he was so healthy! He was by no means a useless man. Here he is cut down; he cannot endure the idea of the war. War perhaps seems worse to him at a distance than if he were in the trenches. 'My head is splitting; it seems as if a petard had been fired into my ear. I would rather explode than watch for it.'"
"He is a singular man."
"He didn't 'explode' as he said. He is 'watching for it' with his mouth drawn to one side and an arm and a leg paralyzed—his intellect intact. People's lots are different. We see all sorts."
"There are unfortunate people; here and there are some who, whether they will or no, find the war turning to their advantage; and then there are many who really do not know what they are going through; they are as if possessed."
"What do you think of La Villaumer?" asked Simone.
"I hope that you don't propose to have him exorcised," said Odette.
"No, but has he told you that he is trying to sell all his property, his collections, his books? He wants to realize on all that he owns, and give it for the war."