To every ones surprise three days permission was
granted to me andGrothé.
Some, as I have said, did not wearanything on their
feet but their boots.
We had to supply ourselves with soap for washing
our clothes; it wasnot supplied by the Government. They blasphemed and cursed and
rolled about inphysical abandonment. They were interested to hear about the Legion,
but I heldback.
That evening I was invited to the Consuls house to
dinner. Then quite unexpectedly came an occasion which seemed to blow a
goodwind.
The bugle players neighbour was an Italian, a
silent fellow wholooked pensive and lowering. The food which I shouldhave to eat if
my money gave out was nauseating. You must go at once, these are marching orders.
But I will tell you what I can do for you. I shall do nothingmore while waiting for
my discharge. I am expecting aregistered letter with money at any moment. When
anything like that occurred there was astir in the barracks for about a day, and
then a hush.
We were drenched to the skin, and the red mud was
so deep that westuck at every step. The lack of any kindof equable companionship was
distressing and depressing.
From hisconversation I gathered that he must have
been in the diplomaticservice. His method of further procedure was simple
andeffective. And as to having seen and spoken with him,it all seemed to him quite
fantastic. We were drenched to the skin, and the red mud was so deep that westuck at
every step.
However, I had plans of my own, and Grothé was
notthe one to object or find fault or squeal. This was the man who desertedwhen
given permission for a few days leave.
His son wasa full-fledged Frenchman, whose career
was the army. Many murders androbberies had taken place on these
stairs.
The jokes which were bandiedabout reeked with filth
and depravity.
It was said that hehad a very terrible
history.
Besides I must pack mythings at the hotel, and pay
my bill there.