120 STORIES FROM DAUDET

nationality of Prussia... . And to
think that every day we must be
having these false Alsatians back! . . .
Why, what have they been drugged
with?’

The mother tried to defend them.

‘What would you have, my poor
husband ; it isn’t their fault, these lads,

. it is so far off, that Algeria in
Africa they’re sent to! . .. They get
home-sickness over there; and the
temptation to come home and give
up soldiering is too strong for them.’

Lory thumped his fist down on the
table :

‘Be quiet, mother! . . . you women
you know nothing about it. By dint
of living always with the children and
only for them, you all shrink to the
measure of your babies, ... I tell
you, I, that these fellows are rascals,
renegades, mean cowards, and that if
by ill-luck our Christian was capable
of such villainy, as sure as my name’s
George Lory, and I have served seven