Page:Crainquebille, Putois, Riquet and other profitable tales, 1915.djvu/37

 Rh “If anyone had told me only a fortnight ago that this would happen!”

Then he reflected:

“They speak too quickly, these gentlemen. They speak well, but they speak too quickly. You can’t make them understand you. … ’cipal, don’t you think they speak too quickly?”

But the soldier marched straight on without replying or turning his head.

Crainquebille asked him:

“Why don’t you answer me?”

The soldier was silent. And Crainquebille said bitterly:

“You would speak to a dog. Why not to me? Do you never open your mouth? Is it because your breath is foul?”