"If," added Linette, "one only knew how best to serve France by offering one's life."
"It is best to live if that can be accomplished honorably," said Madame Arlon. "France is in great need of all her children."
The three women spoke thoughtfully, naturally, with no idea of heroics, expressing themselves without any self-consciousness whatever.
After a silence Warner said to Linette with a smile:
"So you don't admire my new assistant, Monsieur Asticot?"
"Monsieur Warner! That dreadful voyou in your service!"
Warner laughed:
"It seems so. I didn't invite him. But I can't get rid of him. He sticks like a lost dog."
"Send him about his business—which doubtless is to pick pockets!" cried Linette. "Monsieur has merely to whisper 'Gendarmes!' to him, and he does not stop running until he sights the Eiffel Tower!"
Madame Arlon smiled: