the declaration of war, there was a big rush to get out of it,
that's what there was, and the strongest succeeded. I noticed
myself, in my little corner, it was especially those that jawed most
about patriotism previously. Anyway, as the others were saying just
now, if they get into a funk-hole, the worst filthiness they can do
is to make people believe they've run risks. 'Cos those that have
really run risks, they deserve the same respect as the dead."

"Well, what then? It's always like that, old man; you can't change
human nature."

"It can't be helped. Grouse, complain? Tiens! talking about
complaining, did you know Margoulin?"

"Margoulin? The good sort that was with us, that they left to die at
le Crassier because they thought he was dead?"

"Well, he wanted to make a complaint. Every day he talked about
protesting against all those things to the captain and the
commandant. He'd say after breakfast, 'I'll go and say it as sure as
that pint of wine's there.' And a minute later, 'If I don't speak,
there's never a pint of wine there at all.' And if you were passing
later you'd hear him again, 'Tiens! is that a pint of wine there?
Well, you'll see if I don't speak! Result--he said nothing at all.
You'll say, 'But he got killed.' True, but previously he had God's
own time to do it two thousand times if he'd dared."

"All that, it makes me ill," growled Blaire, sullen, but with a
flash of fury.