The happy foreigner

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Title:TheHappyForeigner
Author:EnidBagnold
PostingDate:November23,2011[EBook#9978]ReleaseDate:March,2006
FirstPosted:November7,2003
Language:English
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEHAPPY
FOREIGNER***

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THEHAPPYFOREIGNER
by
ENIDBAGNOLD

1920


CONTENTS
PROLOGUE:THEEVE
PARTI.THEBLACKHUTATBAR
CHAPTERI.THETRAVELLER

PARTII.LORRAINE
CHAPTERII.METZCHAPTERIII.JULIENCHAPTERIV.VERDUNCHAPTERV.VERDUN

CHAPTERVI.THELOVERINTHELAMPCHAPTERVII.THETHREE"CLIENTS"
CHAPTERVIII.GERMANYCHAPTERIX.THECRINOLINECHAPTERX.FANNYROBBED
ANDRESCUEDCHAPTERXI.THELASTNIGHTINMETZ:THEJOURNEY

PARTIII.THEFORESTSOFCHANTILLY
CHAPTERXII.PRECY-SUR-OISECHAPTERXIII.THEINNCHAPTERXIV.THERIVER
CHAPTERXV.ALLIESCHAPTERXVI.THEARDENNES

PARTIV.SPRINGINCHARLEVILLE
CHAPTERXVII.THESTUFFEDOWLCHAPTERXVIII.PHILIPPE'SHOUSECHAPTERXIX.
PHILIPPE'SMOTHERCHAPTERXX.THELASTDAY


PROLOGUE
THEEVE
Betweenthegreywallsofitsbath—solikeitscradleanditscoffin—layoneof
thosesmallandlonelycreatureswhichinhabitthesurfaceoftheearthfor
seventyyears.
Asoneveryothereveningthesunwassinkingandthemoon,unseen,wasrising.
Theroundheadoffleshandbonefloateduponthedeepwaterofthebath.
"WhyshouldImove?"rolleditsthoughts,bewitchedbysolitude."Theearth
itselfismoving.
"SummerandwinterandwinterandsummerIhavetravelledinmyhead,saying
—'Allsecrets,allwonders,liewithinthebreast!'Butnowthatisatanend,and
to-morrowIgouponajourney.
"Ihavebeenaccustomedtofindingsomethinginnothing—howdoIknowifI
amequippedforalargerhorizon!…"
Andsuddenlythelittlecreaturechantedaloud:—
"Thestrangethingsoftravel,
TheEastandtheWest,

Thehillbeyondthehill,—
Theyliewithinthebreast!"

PARTI


THEBLACKHUTATBAR

CHAPTERI
THETRAVELLER
Thewarhadstopped.
TheKingofEnglandwasinParis,andthePresidentoftheUnitedStateswas
hourlyexpected.
Humblerguestspouredeachnightfromtheterminiintotheoverflowingcity,
andsoughtanxiouslyforsomebed,lounge-chair,orpillowedcorner,inwhichto
restuntilthemorning.StretcheduponthetableinabranchoftheY.W.C.A.laya
youngwomanfromEnglandwhoseclotheswereofbrand-newkhaki,andwhose
namewasFanny.
ShehadarrivedthatnightattheGareduNordateighto'clock,andthefollowing
nightateighto'clocksheleftParisbytheGaredel'Est.
Justassheenteredthestationasmallboywithabasketofvioletsforsalehelda
bunchtoherface.
"No,thankyou."
Hepursuedherandhelditagainstherchin.
"No,thankyou."
"ButIgiveittoyou!Igiveittoyou!"
AsshehadneithersleptontheboatfromSouthamptonnoronthetableofthe
Y.W.C.A.,tearsofpleasurecameintohereyesasshetookthem.Butwhileshe
draggedherheavykitbagandhersuitcaseacrosstheplatformanotherboyofa
differentspiritranbesideher.

"Mademoiselle!Mademoiselle!Waitaminute…"hepanted.


"Well?"
"Haven'tyouheard…haven'tyouheard!Thewarisover!"
Shecontinuedtodragtheweightysackbehindherovertheplatform.
"Shedidn'tknow!"howledthewickedboy."Noonehadtoldher!"
Andinthetrainwhichcarriedhertowardsthedeadofnightthetauntandthe
violetsaccompaniedher.
Athalf-pasttwointhemorningshereachedthestationofBar-le-Duc.Therain
rattleddownthroughthebrokenroofasshecrossedthelinesoftheplatformon
thefurtherside,where,vaguelyexpectingtobemetshequestionedciviliansand
militarypolice.ButthepallofdeaththathungoverBarstretchedeventothe
station,wherenobodyknewanything,expectedanything,caredanything,except
tohurryoutandawayintotherain.
She,too,followedatlast,leavingherbagandboxinthecornerofadeserted
office,andcrossingthestationyardtrampedoutinthethickmudontoabridge.
Therainwasfallingintorrents,andcrouchingforaminuteinadoorwayshe
madeherbundlesfasterandbuttoneduphercoat.Roofsjuttedaboveher,
pavementssoundedunderherfeet,theclockstruckthreenearby.Iftherewasan
hotelanywheretherewasnoonetogiveinformationaboutit.Thelasttrainhad
emptieditself,thetravellershadhurriedoffintothenight,andnotafootrang
uponthepavements.Therainraninastreamdownhercapandontoherface;
downhersleevesandontoherhands.
Alightfurtherupthestreetattractedherattention,andwalkingtowardsitshe
foundthatitcamefromanopendoorwayabovewhichshecouldmakeoutthe
letters"Y.M.C.A."
Shedidnotknowwithwhatcomplicatedfeelingsshewouldcometoregard
theseletters—withwhatgratitudemixedwithirritation,self-reproachwith
greed.

Climbingthestepsshelookedinside.Thehallofthebuildingwaspavedwith
stone,andonacoupleofdozensummerchairsofcanesatasmanyAmerican
officers,dozinginpainfulattitudesofunrest.Byeachranastreamofwaterthat
trickledfromhisclothes,andthestreams,joiningeachother,formedaimless
riversuponthefloor.


Theeyeofacaptainopened.
"Comein,ma'am,"hesaidwithoutmoving.Shewonderedwhethersheshould.
Theeyeofalieutenantopened.
"Comein,ma'am,"hesaid,androse."Takemychair."
"Couldyoutellmeifthereisanyhotel?"
"Thereissomesortofashantydownthestreet.I'lltakeyou."
Furtherupthestreetafaintlightshoneunderaslitbetweentwoboards.There
wasnodoornearit,nokeyholeorshutter.TheAmericanthunderedattheboards
withatinofjamwhichhetookoutofhispocket.Thenoisewasmonstrousin
theblackness,butthetownhadheardnoisesmoremonstrousthanthat,anditlay
inabarredandblind,unansweringstupor.
"God!"saidtheAmerican,quicklyangered,andkickedtheboardtilltheslit
grewlarger.Thelightwentout.
"Someoneiscomingroundtothedoor,"saidFanny,intimetopreventthe
destructionoftheboard.
Higherupthestreetboltswerebeingwithdrawnandalightfelluponthe
pavement.
"Who'sthere?"creakedavoice.TheAmericanmovedtowardsthelight.
"ThehotelisshuttoAmericans,"saidthevoice.
"Thedevilitis,"shoutedtheAmerican."Andwhy,then?"
"Mankilledherelastnight,"saidthevoicebriefly.Fannymovedtowardsthe
lightandsawanoldmanwithashawluponhisshoulders,whoheldacandle
fixedintheneckofabottle.

"IamEnglish,"shesaidtotheoldman."Iamalone.Iwantaroomalone."
"I'vearoom…Ifyou'renotAmerican!"


"Idon'tknowwhatkindofaholethisis,"saidtheAmericanwrathfully."Ithink
you'dbettercomerightbacktothe'Y.'Say,here,whatkindofarowwasthislast
nightyougotamankilledin?"
"Kindofrowyourcountrymenmake,"mutteredtheoldman,andadded
"Bandits!"
Soothing,ontheonehand,entreatingontheother,thegirlgotridofhernew
friend,andeffectedanentranceintothehotel.("Ifhotelitis!"shethought,inthe
briefpassageofapanicwhiletheoldmanstoopedtotheboltsofthedoor.)
"I'vegotroomsenough,"hesaid,"roomsenough.Nowthey'vegone.
Followme."
Shefollowedhiscandleflameandhethrewopenadooruponthegroundfloor.
"I'venolighttogiveyou."
"YetImusthavealight."
Grumbling,heproducedhalfaninchofwaxcandle.
"Hurryintobedandthatwilllastyou.It'sallIhave."
Thebedworeacolouredrug,bareandthin,aneiderdown,dampandmusty.
Spreadingherwetmackintoshonthetopsherolledherselfupaswellasshe
could,anddevelopingasortofwarmthtowardsmorning,sleptanhourortwo.
Thedaylightshowedhernothingtowashin,nojug,nobasin,nobelltopull.
Asnoonewouldcometoher,astherewasnothingtobegainedbywaiting,she
gotup,andgoingintothehall,enteredadarkcoffee-roominwhichbreakfast
wasservedatitslowestebb,blackcoffee,sugarless,andtwopiecesofdry
bread.
Yet,havingeaten,shewasabletothink:"Iamasoldieroffivesous.Iamhereto
drivefortheFrenchArmy."Andherthoughtspleasedhersowellthat,atthe
momentwhenhercircumstanceswereintheirstateofleastperfection,she

exclaimed:"HowrightIwastocome!"andsetoffdownthestreettofindher
companions.


AmileoutofthetownuponthebanksofatributaryoftheMeusestooda
desertedglassfactorywhichhadbeenconvertedbytheFrenchintoagaragefor
afleetofthirtycars.Abovethegaragewasalargeatticusedasadormitoryfor
themechanics,soldier-cooks,driversandclerks.Inasmallerroomattheend
sleptthenon-commissionedofficers—thebrigadierandthetwomaréchauxdes
logis.
Ahundredyardsfromthefactory,builtuponthebrinkofthestreamwhichwas
nowinflood,andreachedfromtheroadbyanarrowwoodenbridge,stooda
tarredhutofwoodandtarpaulin.Itwasbuiltuponsimplelines.Anarrow
corridorrandownthecentreofit,andoneitherhandwerefoursquarecells
dividedonefromtheotherbygreypaperstretcheduponlathsofwood—making
eightinall.Atoneendwasasmallhallfilledwithmackintoshes.Attheothera
sitting-room.
Thiswasthehomeofthewomendriversattachedtothegarage.Inoneofthese
papercells,henceforwardtobeherown,Fannysetupherintimatelife.
*****
Outsidetheblackhutthejet-blacknightpouredwaterdown.Inside,theeight
cubiclesheldeachawoman,abed,andahurricanelantern.Fanny,inherpaper
box,listenedtothescratchingofapennextdoor,thenturnedhereyesasanew
andnearerscratchingcaughtherear.Abright-eyedratstaredatherthroughthe
holeithadmadeinthewall.
"Foodisin!"
Outoftheboxescametheeightwomentoeatpiecesofdarkmeatfromatinset
onthetopofthesitting-roomstove—thencheeseandbread.Thewaterynight
turnedintosleetandrattledliketin-foilonthepanes.
"WhereisStewart?"

"Sheisnotbackyet."
Soontheeightcreptbacktotheirboxesandsatagainbythelampstoreador
darnorwrite.Theylivedsoclosetoeachotherthateventhemostgenialhad
learnttocareforsolitude,andthesitting-roomremainedempty.


ThenoiseofStewart'sfeetsoundedinthecorridor.Sheswungalanterninher
hand;herfacewasshining,herhairstreaming.
"Isthereanyfood?"
"It'sonthestove."
"Isiteatable?"
"No."
Silenceforawhile,andthenonebyonetheycreptoutintotheblackmud
beyondthehuttofilltheircanswithhotwaterfromthecook-house—andsoto
bed,onstretchersslungontrestles,wherethosewhodidnotsleeplistened
throughthelongnighttothosewhoslepttoowell.
"Areyouawake?"camewiththedaylight."Ah,youarewashing!Youaredoing
yourhair!"Therewasnoprivacy.
"Howcold,howcoldthewater,is!…"sighedFanny,Andavoicethroughthe
paperwall,catchingtheshiveringwhisper,exclaimed:"Useyourhot-water
bottle!"
"Whatfor?"
"Emptyitintoyourbasin.Ifyouhavekeptitinyourbedallnightyouwillfind
thewaterhasthechilloff."
Thosewhohadtobeoutearlyhadleftbeforethedaylight,stillwiththeir
lanternsswingingintheirhands;hadbattledwiththecoldcarsintheunlighted
garage,andweremovingaloneacrossthelongdesertofthebattlefields.
Onthefirstmorningshewastestedonanoldambulance,andpassedthetest.On
thesecondmorningshegotherfirstrunuponaCharroncarthathadbeen
assignedtoher.

DrivingintoBar-le-Ducintheearlymorningunderagreyfloodofrainshe
askedofapasser-by,"WhichistheRueThierry?"Shegotnoanswer.The
French,toopoorandwet,didnottroubletoreply;theAmericansdidnotknow.
Asshedrovealongatthesideoftheroadtherecamearoaroutofthedistance,


andastreamofAmericanlorriesthundereddownthestreet.Men,womenand
childrenranfortheirlivestogainthepavements,asthelorriespassed,amudspoutcoveredFanny'sfaceandhands,anddrippedfromherwindscreen.
"Whydotheydrivelikethat?"shewondered,huntingblindlyforher
handkerchief,andmoppingatherface.Shethoughttheremustbesome
desperateneedcallingforthelorries,andlookedafterthemwithrespect.
Whenshehadfoundherstreet,andfetchedher"client,"shedroveathisorderto
Souilly,uponthegreatroadtoVerdun.Andallday,callingatlittlevillagesupon
theway,wherehehadbusiness,shedrovewiththecautionofthenewcomer.It
seemedtoherthatshehadneedforcaution.ShesawaFordrollover,leavethe
road,anddropintotheditch.ThewildAmericanwhohaddrivenittoitsdeath,
pulledhimselfupupontheroad,andlimping,hailedapassinglorry,andwent
uponhisway.
ShesawahorsegallopoutofacampwithaterrifiedAnnamiteuponitsback.
HorseandAnnamiteshotpastherontheroad,theyellowman'seyespopping
fromhishead,hisbodyslipping,falling,falling.Whenshewouldhaveslowed
thecartowatchtheendoftheflightherclientcriedtoher:"Whydoyouwait?"
EnormousAmericanguns,trailedbehindlorriesdrivenbypink-facedboys
swayedfromsidetosideonthegreasyroad,andthreatenedtocrushherlikean
egg-shell.
Everywhereshesawawilddisregardforlife,everywhereshewincedbeforethe
menaceofspeed,ofweight,ofthunderingmetal.
Inthelateafternoon,returninghomeinthehalf-light,sheovertookaconvoyof
lorriesdrivenbyAnnamites.
Hootingwithherhornshecreptpastthreelorriesanddrewabreastofthefourth;

then,misjudging,sheletthetipofherlowmudguardtouchthefrontwheelof
theforemostlorry.Thetouchwassoslightthatshehadpassedon,butatacry
shedrewupandlookedback.Thelorrywhichshehadtouchedwasoverhanging
theedgeoftheroad,anditsradiator,strikingatree,haddroppeddownintothe
valleybelow.Climbingfromhercarsheranbackandwasinstantlysurrounded
byacrowdofAnnamiteswhochirpedandtwitteredather,andwrungtheirlittle
hands.


"WhatcanIdo?…"shesaidtothemaloud,indistress.
Buttheyunderstoodnothing,andseemedtoechointheirstrangebirdlanguage,
"Whatcanwedo…whatcanwedo?…"("AndI…"shethoughtin
consternation,"amresponsibleforthis!")
Butthelastlorryhaddrawnalongside,andaFrenchsergeantdescendedfromit
andjoinedtheAnnamites.Hewalkedtotheedgeoftheroad,sawtheradiator
belowuponarock,andshruggedhisshoulders.CatchingsightofFanny'sfaceof
horrorhelaughed.
"Nevousenfaîtespas,mademoiselle!Thesepoordevilssleepastheydrive.Yes,
evenwiththeireyesopen.Westartedninethismorning.Wewerefourwhenwe
metyou—andnowwearethree!"
Onthethirdmorningtherainstoppedforanhourortwo.Fannyhadnoruntill
theafternoon,andgoingintothegarageinthemorningshesettoworkonher
car.
"WherecanIgetwater?"sheaskedaman.
"Thepumpisbroken,"hereplied."Ibackedmycaragainstitlastnight.But
thereisatapbythatbrokenwallonthepieceofwasteground."
Shecrossedtothewallwithherbucket.
Standinguponthewastegroundwasanold,closedlimousinewhoseenginehad
longbeeninjuredpastrepair.Oneoftheglasswindowswasbroken,butitwas
asroomyandcomfortableasafirst-classrailwaycarriage,andthemenoftensat

initinasparemoment.
Theyardclearedsuddenlyfortheeleveno'clockmeal.AsFannypassedthe
limousineamanappearedatthebrokenwindowandbeckonedtoher.Hisface
waswhite,andheworehisshirt,trousers,andbraces.Shestoppedshortwiththe
bucketinherhand.
"Onestdelivrédecettebande!"hesaid,pointingtotheyard,andshewenta
littlenearer.
"WaittillIgetmycoaton,"hesaidsoftlytoher,andstruggledintohiscoat.


Heputbothhishandsonthewindowledge,leanttowardsher,andsaidclearly:
"JesuisleprésidentWilson."
"YouarethePresidentWilson,"sheechoed,huntingforthejoke,andwillingto
smile.Hepassedherouthiswater-bottleandatinbox."Youmustfillthesefor
me,"hesaid."Fillthebottlewithwine,andgetmebreadandmeat.Bequick.
YouknowImustbeoff.TheKingexpectsme."
Wherehaveyoucomefrom?"
"Isleptherelastnight.Ihavecomefar.ButImustbequicknow,forit'slate,and
…IbelieveinFreedom!"hefinishedemphatically.
"Well,willyouwaittillIhavemadeyouupaparceloffood?"
"Onlybequick."
"Willyouwaitinthecar?Promisetowait!"
"Yes.Bequick.Looksharp."
Sheputdownherbucketandstretchedupherhandforthebottleandthebox.He
heldthemaboveherasecond,hesitating,thenputthemintoherhand.She
turnedfromhimandwentbackintotheyard.Assheapproachedthedoorofthe
roomwherethemensateatingshelookedroundandsawthathewaswatching
herintently.Shewavedonce,soothingly,thenslippedintothelongroomfilled
withthehumofvoicesandthesmellofgravy.
"Thereisapoormadmanintheyard,"shewhisperedtothemannearesther.The

otherslookedup.
"They'velostamanfromtheasylum.Iheardinthetownthismorning,"said
one."Wemustkeephimheretillwetelephone.Haveyoutoldthebrigadier,
mademoiselle?"
"Youtellhim.I'llgobackandtalktotheman.Askthebrigadiertotelephone."
"I'llcomewithyou,mademoiselle,"saidanother."Whereishe?"
"Intheoldlimousinebythewatertap.Heisquiet.Don'tfrightenhimbycoming


alltogether."Chairsandbencheswerepushedback,andthemenstoodupin
groups.
"Wewillgoroundbythegateincasehemakesarunforit.Betternotuseforce
ifonecanhelpit…."
Fannyandhercompanionwentouttothecar."Whereismyfoodandwine?"
calledtheman.
"It'scoming,"answeredFanny,"theyaredoingitupinthekitchen."
"Well,Ican'twait.Imustgowithoutit.Ican'tkeeptheKingwaiting."Andhe
openedthedoorofthelimousine.Ashestoodonthestepheheldabundleof
rustyweapons.
"What'sthatyou'vegot?"
"Boschedaggers,"hesaid."See!"Heheldonetowardsher,withoutlettingitgo
fromhishand.
"Wheredidyoufindthose?"
"Onthebattlefields."Heclimbeddownthesteps.
"Stayamoment,"saidFanny."I'minadifficulty.Willyouhelpme?"
"What'sthat?ButI'venotime…."
"Doyouknowaboutcars?"
"Iwasinthetrade,"henoddedhishead.
"Ihavetrouble…Icannottellwhattodo.Willyoucomeandsee?"
"Ifit'samatterofamoment.ButImustbeaway."

"Ifyouleaveallthosethingsinthecaryoucouldfetchthemasyougo,"
suggestedFanny,eyeingthedaggers.
Themanwhistledandscreweduponeeye."WhenonebelievesinFreedomone
mustgoarmed,"hesaid."Showmethecar."


Goingwithhertothecar-shedhelookedatthespark-plugsofthecar,ather
suggestionunscrewingthreefromtheirseatings.Atthefourthhegrewtired,and
saidfretfully:"NowImustbeoff.YouknowImust.TheKingexpectsme."
Hewalkedtothegateoftheyard,andshesawthemenbehindthegateaboutto
closeonhim."You'renotwearingyourdecorations!"shecalledafterhim.He
stopped,lookeddown,lookedalittletroubled.
Shetookthegiltsafetypinfromhertie,thesafetypinthatheldhercollartoher
blouseattheback,andanotherfromthebackofherskirt,andpinnedthemalong
hispoorcoat.Anambulancedrovequicklyintotheyard,andthreemen,
descendingfromit,hurriedtowardsthem.Atsightofthemthepoormadman
grewfrantic,andturninguponFannyhecried:"Youareagainstme!"thenran
acrosstheyard.Sheshuthereyesthatshemightnotseethemhunttheloverof
freedom,andonlyopenedthemwhenamancriedintriumph:"We'lltakeyouto
theKing!"
"Pauvremalheureux!"mutteredthedriversintheyard.
Dayfolloweddayandtherewasplentyofwork.Officershadtobedrivenupon
roundsoftwohundredkilometresaday—interviewingmayorsofruined
villages,listeningtoclaims,assessingdamagecausedbyFrenchtroopsinbillets.
Othersinspecteddistantmotorparks.Othersmadeofferstopurchaseoldiron
amongthevillagesinordertoprovetheftsfromthebattlefields.
Theearlystartatdawn,theflyingmiles,thewinterdusk,thelonghoursoftravel
bythefaintlightoftheacetylenelampsfilleddayafterday;theunsavourymeal
eatenalonebythestove,thebookreadaloneinthecubicle,thefitfulsleepupon
thestretcher,fillednightafternight.

AlonelinessbeyondanythingshehadeverknownsettleduponFanny.Shefound
comfortinalook,acry,awhistle.Thesmilesofstrangemenupontheroad
whomshewouldneverseeagainbecamehersocialintercourse.Thelostsmiles
ofkindAmericans,thelost,mockingwhistlesofFrenchmen,thescreamofa
nigger,thetwitteringsurpriseofaChinesescavenger.
Yetshewasgladtohavecome,forhalftheworldwashere.Therecouldhave
beennothinglikeitsincetheTowerofBabel.Thecountryaroundherwasavast
tractofmensickwithlongingforthefourcornersoftheearth.


"Haveyougottobehere?"askedanAmerican.
"No,Iwantedtocome."
TheeyeoftheAmericansaid"Fool!"
"Areyoupaidtocomehere?"askedaFrenchman.
"No.Inasense,Ipaytocome."TheeyeoftheFrenchmansaid,
"Englishwoman!"
Eachdayshedroveinawashofrain.Eachnightshereturnedlongafterdark,
andputtinghercarinthegarage,feltherwayuptheinkyroadbytherushingof
theriveratitsedge,crossedthewoodenbridge,andenteredthecellwhichshe
triedtomakeherpersonalhaven.
Butifpersonal,itwasthepersonalityofadog;ithadthecharacterofakennel.
ShehadbroughtnofurnishingswithherfromEngland;shecouldbuynothingin
thetown.Thewoodenfloorwasswampedbytherainwhichblewthroughthe
window;thepaperonthewallswastornbyrats;tarrydropsfromtheroofhad
fallenuponherunmadebed.
Thesightofthisbedcausedheranightlydismay."Oh,ifIcouldbutmakeitin
themorninghowdifferentthisroomwouldlook!"
Therewouldbenooneinthesitting-room,butatinwouldstandonthestove
withone,two,orthreepiecesofmeatinit.Bythissheknewwhetherthe
cubicleswerefullorifoneortwowereempty.Sometimesthecoffeejugwould

risetoolightlyfromthefloorassheliftedit,andinanangryvoiceshewould
callthroughthehut:"Thereisnocoffee!"Silence,silence;tillavoice,goaded
bythesilence,cried:"AskMadeleine!"
AndMadeleine,thelittlemaid,hadlongsincegoneovertolaughwiththemen
inthegarage.
Thencametheownersofthesecondandthirdpieceofmeat,stumblingacross
thebridgeandupthecorridor,lanterninhand.AndFanny,perhapsremembering
atreasureleftinhercar,wouldrise,leavethemtoeat,feelherwaytothe
garage,andbackagaintothesafetyofherroomwithatinofsweetened
condensedmilkunderherarm.Solowincomforthadshesunkitneededbutthis


tomakeherhappy.Shehadneverknownsosharp,sosweetasenseofluxuryas
thatwithwhichshepreparedthedelicacyshehadseizedbyherowncunning.It
hadnottakenherlongtolearnthepossibilitiesoftheAmericanY.M.C.A.,the
branchinBar,oranyotherwhichshemightpassinhertravels.
Shamelessshewasassheleantuponthecounterinsomedistantvillage,
cajoling,persuading,spinningsometaleofwantandnecessitymorepicturesque,
thoughnolessactual,thanherown.Secret,too,lestoneofhercompanions,
over-eager,shouldspoilherhuntingground.
Sittingwithherleathercoatoverhershoulders,happyinhersolitude,shewould
drinkthecupofBenger'sFoodwhichshehadmadefromthemilk,andwhenit
wasfinished,slideloweramongtherugs,putoutthelights,andlistentothe
rustleoftheratsinthewall.
"MaryBellisgettingmarried,"saidaclearvoiceinthehut.
"TotheWykelyboy?"answeredasecondvoice,andinasuddenneedofsound
thetwovoicestalkedon,whilethesixlistenersupontheirstretcherssawinthe
darkthelifeandhappinessofMaryBellblossombeforethem,unknownand
bright.
Thealarmclockwentoffwithascreamatfive.

"Why,I'vehardlybeenasleep!"sighedFanny,bewildered,and,gettingup,she
litthelampandmadehercoffee.Againtherewasnottimetomakethebed.
Thoughfreshtotheworkshebelievedthatshehadbeenthereforever,yetthe
womenwithwhomshesharedherlifehaddriventheroadsoftheMeusedistrict
formonthsbeforeshecametothem,andtheireyesweredimwithpeeringinto
thedarknights,andtheyweretiredpastanysenseofadventure,pastanywishor
powertobettertheircondition.
Onandonandonrolledthedays,andthoughonemightaddthemtogetherand
makethemseven,theynevermadeSunday.ForthereisnoSundayintheFrench
Army,thereisnobellatwhichtoolsarelaidaside,andnoteventhenightis
sacred.
Onandonrolledtheweeks,andtheweeksmademonths,tillallNovemberwas
gone,andallDecember,andtheNewYearbrokeinfreshtorrentsofrain.


Fannymadefriendsalldayandlostthemagainforeverasshepassedonupon
theroads.Sometimesitwasasentrybesidewhomher"clients"leftherforan
hourwhiletheyinspectedabarracks;sometimesitwasanoldwomanwho
calledfromadoorwaythatshemightcomeandwarmherhandsatthefire;
sometimesanAmericanwhohelpedhertochangeatyre.
Thereweretimes,furtheruptowardsVerdun,wheretherewerenooldwomen,
oryoungwomen,orvillages,whenshethoughtherfriendsweremad,deranged,
eccentricintheirloneliness.
"Mysisterhasagrandpiano…"saidoneAmericantoher—openingthushis
conversation.Buthemuseduponitandspokenofurther.
"Yes?"sheencouraged."Yes?"
Hedidnotopenhisminduntilshewasleaving,whenhesaidsimplytoher:"I
wishIwasbackhome."Andbetweenthetwosentencesallthepicturesofhis
homewereflowinginhisthoughts.
Anoldwomanofferedhershelterinavillagewhileherclientswerebusywith

themayor.Inthekitchentherewasatinyfireoftwigs.
Americanboysstampedinandoutofthehouse,laughing,beggingthedaughter
tosewonabutton,sellthemanegg,boysofnineteenandtwenty,fair,tall,and
good-looking.
"Weshallbegladwhentheyaregone,"saidtheoldwomanlookingattheirgay
faces."Theyarechildren,"sheadded,"withthefaultsofchildren."
"Theyseemwell-mannered."
"Theyarebeautifulboys,"saidthepeasantwoman,"andgood-mannered.But
I'mtiredofthem.Childrenareallverywell,buttohaveyourhousefullofthem,
yourvillage,yourfamily-life!Theyplayalldayinthestreet,chasingthedogs,
throwingballs.Whenourchildrencomeoutofschoolthere'snoholdingthem,
theymustbeoffplayingwiththeAmericans.Thewarisover.Whydon'tthey
takethemhome?"
"Good-day,ma'am,"saidatallboy,cominguptoFanny."You'resurecold.We
broughtyouthis."Andheofferedheracupofcoffeehehadfetchedfromhis


canteen.
"Yes,they'regoodboys,"saidtheoldwoman,"butonedoesn'twantother
people'schildrenalwaysinone'slife."
"Isthisapark?"Fannyaskedasoldierinthenextvillage,avillagewhosefour
streetswerefilledwithrowsoflorries,touringcarsandambulances.Onevery
cartheironwasfrailwithrust,thebonnetsofsomeweretornoff,awheel,two
wheels,weremissing,thesiderippedopendisclosingtherustingbones.
"Pardon,madame?"
"Whatareyoudoinghere?"
"WeareleftbehindfromtheFourthArmywhichhasgoneuptoGermany.I
havenotoolsorIwouldmakeonecaroutoffour.Butmymenarediscouraged
andnooneworks.Thewarisover.
"Thenthisisapark?"

"No,madame,itisacemetery."
Monthswentby,andtherecameanight,aswetandsadasanyother,whenno
premonitorystarshowedinthesky,andallthatwasbrightinFanny'sspirit
toneditselftomatchthemonotonous,shadowlesspallorabouther.
Shewasuponherhomewardjourney.Attheentrancetothehutshepaused;for
suchalightwasburninginthesitting-roomthatittravelledeventhedark
corridorandwanderedoutuponthestep.Byitshecouldseethebeaded
moistureoftherain-mistuponthelonghairescapedfromhercap.
Agroupofwomenstoodwithin,theirfacesturnedtowardsthedoorasshe
entered.
"Fanny…."
"Whatisit?"
"WearegoingtoMetz!WeareorderedtoMetz!"Stewartwavedaletter.


Waspovertyandsolitudeatanend?Theydidnotknowit.InleavingtheMeuse
districtdidtheyleave,too,theboundlessrain,theswollenrivers,theshining
swamps,themudwhichebbedandfloweduponthelandlikeatide?Washunger
atanend,discomfort,andpoorliving?Theyhadnoinkling.
Fanny,indifferenttoanychange,hopingfornothingbetter,turnedfirsttothe
meattin,forshewashungry.
"Metzisatown,"shehazarded.
"Ofcourse!"
"Therewillbethingstoeatthere?"
"No,verylittle.ItwasfedfromGermany;nowthatitissuddenlyfedfromParis
theserviceisdisorganised.Onetraincrossesthedevastatedlandintheday.I
hearallthisfromthebrigadier—whohas,forthatmatter,neverbeenthere."
"Thenwearegoingforcertain?"
"Wearesentfor.Yes,wearegoing.Wearetobeattachedtothe
HeadquartersStaff.Pétainisthere.Itmightevenbegay."

Fannylaughed."Gay!"
"Whynot?"
"Iwasthinkingofmyonepairofsilkstockings."
"Youhavesilkstockingswithyou!"
"Yes,I…Iamequippedforanything."
Therecameamorning,aswetandsadasanyother,whenStewartandFanny,
seatedinthebackofanambulance,theirfeetoverhangingtheedge,watchedthe
blackhutdwindleupontheroad,andwonderedhowanyonehadlivedthereso
long.


PARTII
LORRAINE

CHAPTERII
METZ
WithitsbacktothewoodsandhillsofLuxembourg,withitsfacetothe
desolationofNorthernFrance,thecityofMetzstoodattheentryofLorraine
likethegatetoanewworld.
Thetraveller,arrivingafterlonghoursofjourneythroughthebattlefields,might
sighwithrelief,gapewithpleasure,thenhurryawaydowndeflaggedstreets,
beneathhousesropedwithgreen-leafedgarlands,toeatdivinelyatMoitrier's
restaurant,andjointhedancinginthehallbelow.
NotanightpassedinMetzwithoutthebeatofmusicuponthefrostyair.Itburst
intothenarrowstreetsfromestaminetswherethesoldiersdanced,fromhalls,
fromdrawing-roomsofconfiscatedGermanhouseswhereofficersofthe"Grand
QuartierGénéral"dancedatriumph.Oritmightbesupposedtobeatriumphby
theGermanswhostayedintheirhomesafterdark.Theymightsupposethatthe
Frenchofficersdancedforhappiness,thattheydancedbecausetheywere
French,becausetheywerevictorious,becausetheywereyoung,becausethey

must.
Itwasnot,surely,thewilddancingofthehostwhosepartydragsalittle,who
callsformorechampagne,morefiddles?
InthecentreofthecityofMetzsattheMaréchalPétain,andkepthiseyeupon


Lorraine.Hewasnotamanwhocaredforgaiety,butshouldtheLorrainesbe
insufficientlyamusedhegavethemballs—insufficientlyfed,hesentforflour
andsugar;alltheflourandsugarthatFrancecouldspare;more,muchmore,
thanParishad,andathisbiddingthecake-shopsfloweredwithéclairs,
millefeuilles,brioches,chouxàlacrême,andcakesmoremarvellouswith
Germannames.
France,poorandhungry,flungallshehadintoAlsaceandLorraine,thatshe
mightmakeherentrywiththeassuringdazzleofthebenefactress.The
Lorraines,likechildren,werefedwithsugarwhilethemeatshopswereempty—
werekeptdancinginnationalcostumethattheymightforgettoaskforleather
boots,towonderwherewoolandsilkwerehiding.
Fêteswereorganised,colourswereparadedinthesquare,torchlightprocessions
werestartedonSaturdaynights,whentheboysofthetownwentcryingand
whoopingbehindthemarchoftheflares.ArtistsweresentforfromParis,took
traintoNancy,andweredrivenlaboriouslythroughhoursofsnow,overmilesof
shell-pittedroads,thattheymightsingandplayinthetheatreorinthehouseof
theGovernor.Tothedances,tothedinners,totheplayscametheLorraine
women,wearingwhitecottonstockingstosetofftheirthickankles,anddancing
infiguresandsetdancesunknowntotheofficersfromParis.
TheCommandantDormans,headofallmotortransportundertheGrand
QuartierGénéral,havingpreparedhisGermandrawing-roomasaballroom,
havingdancedalltheeveningwithladiesfromthesurroundinghills,found
himselffatiguedandexasperatedbythesideoftheheadofForeignUnits
attachedtotheAutomobileService.

"IthoughtyouhadEnglishwomenatBar-le-Duc,"hesaidtothelatter.
"Ihave—eight."
"WhataretheydoingatBar-le-Duc?Getthemhere."
"Istherework,sir?"
"Work!Theyshallworkfromdawntosunsetsolongastheywilldanceall
night!Englishwomendodance,don'tthey?"
"IhaveneverbeentoEngland."


"Getthemhere.Sendforthem."
Sothroughhiswhimithappenedthatsixdayslateralittlecaravanofwomen
crossedtheoldfrontlinesbeyondPont-à-Moussonasduskwasfalling,andas
darkwasfallingenteredthegatesofMetz.
Theyleantfromtheambulanceexcitedlyasthelightsofthestreetsflashedpast
them,sawwindowspiledwithpalebricksofbutter,barsofchocolates,tinsof
preservedstrawberries,andjams.
"Canyouseethepriceonthebutter?"
"Twenty-four…."
"What?"
"Ican'tsee.Yes….Twenty-fourfrancsapound."
"Goodheavens!"
"Ah,isitpossible,éclairs?"
"Eclairs!"
AndwithexclamationsofawetheysawthecakeshopsintheSerpenoise.
Germanboyscried"Americangirls!Americangirls!"andthrewpaperballsinto
thebackoftheambulance.
"Iheard,Iheard…."
"Whatisit?"
"IheardGermanspoken."
"Didyouthink,then,theywerealldead?"

"No,"butFannyfeltlikesomeoldscholarwhohearsadeadlanguagespokenin
avanishedtown.
TheydroveonpasttheCathedralintotheopensquareofthePlaceduTheâtre.


HalftheoldFrenchtheatrehadbeensetasideasofficesfortheAutomobile
Service,andnowtheofficersoftheservice,whohadwaitedforthemwith
curiosity,greetedthemonthesteps.
"Youmustbetired,youmustbehungry!Leavetheambulancewhereitisand
comenow,asyouare,todinewithus!"
IntheuncertainlightfromthelamponthetheatrestepstheFrenchtriedtosee
theEnglishfaces,thewomenglancedatthemen,andtheywalkedtogetherto
theoak-panelledMessRoominahouseontheothersideoftheemptysquare.A
longtablewasspreadwithawhitecloth,withsilver,withflowers,asthough
theywereexpected.Soldierswaitedbehindthechairs.
"Vauclin!ThatfoiegrasyoubroughtbackfromParisyesterday…whereisit,
outwithit?What,youonlybroughttwojars!Arrelles,there'sajarleftfrom
yours."
"Mademoiselle,sitherebyCaptainVauclin.Hewillamuseyou.Andyou,
mademoiselle,byme.YoualltalkFrench?"
"Andfancy,InevermetanEnglishwomanbefore.Never!Yourresponsibilityis
terrible.Howtiredyoumustbe!…Whatajourney!Forto-nightwehavefound
youbillets.WebilletyouonGermans.Itismorecomfortable;theydomorefor
you.What,youhavemetnoGermansyet?Theyexist,yes,theyexist."
"Arrelles,youarenottalkingFrench!YoushouldtalkEnglish.Youcan't?NorI
either…."
"ButtheseladiestalkFrenchmarvellously…."
Someoneinanotherhousewasplayinganancientinstrument.Itsmusicstole
acrosstheopensquare.Soldierspassedsinginginthestreet.
Ahundredmiles…ahundredyearsaway…layBar-le-Duc,liquidinmud,

soakedineternalrain."WhatwasI?"thoughtFannyinamazement."Towhat
hadIcome,inthatblackhut!"Andshethoughtthatshehadrundowntothe
bottomofliving,lainonthathardfloorwherethepoorlie,knownwhatitwasto
liveasthepoorlive,inahole,withoutgenerosity,beauty,orprivacy—inahole,
dirtyandcold,plainandcoarse.


Sheglancedatherneighbourwithwonderandappreciation,delightandenvy.
Therewasalight,cleanscentuponhishair.Shesawhishands,hisnails.And
herown.
AyoungJewoppositeherhadhishaircurled,andafaintpowderybloomabout
hisface.
("Butnevermind!Thatiscivilisation.Therearepeoplewhoturnfromthatand
cryfornature,butI,sinceI'velivedasadog,whenIseeartifice,feelgay!")
"Youdon'tknowwithwhatinterestyouhavebeenawaited."
"We?"
"Ah,yes!Andwereyoupleasedtocome?"
"Wedidnotknowtowhatwewerecoming!"
"Andnow?…"
Shelookedroundthetablepeacefully,listenedtothelightvoicestalkinga
FrenchshehadneverheardatBar.
"Andnow?…"
"Icouldnotmakeyouunderstandhowdifferent…."(No,shewouldnottellhim
howtheyhadlivedatBar.Shewasashamed.)Butasshewasansweringthe
servantgavehimamessageandhewascalledaway.Whenhereturnedhesaid:
"TheCommandantDormansisshowinghimselfveryanxious."
TheJewlaughedandsaid:"Hewantstoseetheseladiesthisevening?"
"No,hesparesthemthat,knowingoftheirjourney.Hesendsamessagebythe
CapitaineChâteltotellusthattheD.S.A.givesadanceto-morrownight.The
personalinvitationwillbesentbymessengerinthemorning.Youdance,

mademoiselle?"
"Thereisadance,andweareinvited?Yes,yes,Idance!YouaskedifIwas
happynowthatIamhere.TousthismightbeBabylon,afterthedesert!"