"I hope you may be able to do that soon," said Earl fervently.
"If I am still alive."
"We'll hope for the best," said Earl simply.
"Suppose I am killed," exclaimed Armande. "What difference will it make? I shall die for my country and what happier death is there than to die for France?"
"If everyone else feels the same way I don't see how France can be beaten," remarked Earl, much impressed by the fervor of the impulsive Frenchman.
"Of course she can't be beaten," cried Armande, "and of course everyone feels as I do. Just as surely as the sun will rise to-morrow France is going to come out victorious in this war. They can hold some of our land for a time but they can't kill our spirit. The spirit of France will live forever and it is spirit that wins; it is unconquerable and it will never give in until justice and right rule once more in Europe."
"Vive la France!" cried Jacques lustily. He had been sitting on the edge of one of the bunks attentively listening to the foregoing conversation.
"Vive la France!" echoed Earl and the rafters of the ramshackle old barn shook with the violence of the cheer.
"Inspection is at two and the review at three," Dubois reminded his comrades when they had settled down to a normal state again.
"Then we haven't much time, have we?" exclaimed Leon. "Let's get ready."