Round about Bar-le-Duc - Susanne R. Day

CHAP.		PAGE
[I].	MAINLY INTRODUCTORY	11
[II].	EN ROUTE--SERMAIZE-LES-BAINS	16
[III].	FIRST IMPRESSIONS	29
[IV].	À TRAVERS BAR-LE-DUC	47
[V].	SETTLING IN	61
[VI].	THE BASKET-MAKERS OF VAUX-LES-PALAMIES	73
[VII].	IN WHICH WE PLAY TRUANT	87
[VIII].	THE MODERN CALVARY	107
[IX].	IN WHICH WE BECOME EMISSARIES OF LE BON DIEU	125
[X].	PRIESTS AND PEOPLE	136
[XI].	REPATRIÉES	160
[XII].	STORM-WRACK FROM VERDUN	179
[XIII].	MORE STORM-WRACK	198
[XIV].	AIR RAIDS	207
[XV].	M. LE POILU	223
	[ENVOI]	255

Relief Work in the War Zone. It did sound exciting. No wonder I volunteered, but, oh dear! great was the plenitude of my ignorance. I vaguely understood that we were to distribute clothes and rabbits, kitchen utensils, guano and other delectable necessaries to a stricken people, but not that we were to wear a uniform and that the uniform would be made "by post." If I had there might never have been a chapter to write nor a tale to tell.

That uniform!—shall I ever forget it? Or the figure I cut when I put it on? Of course, like any sensible female woman, I wanted to have it made by my own tailor and in my own way. Strict adherence to the general scheme, of course, with reasonable modification to suit the individual. But Authority said NO. Only by one man and in one place could that uniform be made. Frankly sceptical at first, I am now a devout believer. For it was certainly unique; perhaps in strict truth I ought to say that several specimens of it were unique. There was one—but this is a modest tale told by a modest woman. Stifle curiosity, and be content with knowing that the less cannot contain the greater. And then let us go hence and ponder upon the sweet reasonableness of man, or at least of one man who, when asked to produce the uniform hats, replied, "But what for, Madam?"

"Well, to try on, of course."

[ROUND ABOUT BAR-LE-DUC]

[CHAPTER I]