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The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez
page 197 of 502 (39%)
millions, will have to eat the same as I. . . . Admit that it is a
beautiful thing."

Desnoyers was not offended by the malicious satisfaction that his future
privations seemed to inspire in the carpenter. He was very thoughtful.
A man of his stamp, an enemy of existing conditions, who had no property
to defend, was going to war--to death, perhaps--because of a generous
and distant ideal, in order that future generations might never know
the actual horrors of war! To do this, he was not hesitating at the
sacrifice of his former cherished beliefs, all that he had held sacred
till now. . . . And he who belonged to the privileged class, who
possessed so many tempting things, requiring defense, had given himself
up to doubt and criticism! . . .

Hours after, he again saw the carpenter, near the Arc de Triomphe. He
was one of a group of workmen looking much as he did, and this group
was joining others and still others that represented every social
class--well-dressed citizens, stylish and anaemic young men, graduate
students with worn jackets, pale faces and thick glasses, and youthful
priests who were smiling rather shamefacedly as though they had been
caught at some ridiculous escapade. At the head of this human herd was
a sergeant, and as a rear guard, various soldiers with guns on their
shoulders. Forward march, Reservists! . . .

And a musical cry, a solemn harmony like a Greek chant, menacing and
monotonous, surged up from this mass with open mouths, swinging arms,
and legs that were opening and shutting like compasses.

Robert was singing the martial chorus with such great

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