Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/83

Rh Affairs in Nancy, there was no doubt, progressed much as in time of peace.

“Why not?" such inhabitants as I talked to said. "We go along. We merely hope that the next shell won't fall near us."

On the walls of many houses we saw, painted in red, the cross of Lorraine.

“Why?" we asked.

“Because," the captain replied, "each one of those marked houses has a cellar. When the bombardment commences, people caught in the street enter the nearest house marked with a cross, and the inhabitants must receive them and give them shelter."

The elderly Quaker shook his head.

"Why should Nancy be bombarded in this fashion?

The captain shrugged his shoulders.

"It might be a little pique," he answered. “You see, just before the battle of the Marne the Kaiser and the Crown Prince were decked out in all their plumage and waited, mounted on horseback, to make a triumphant entry of the capital of Lorraine. At the last minute they had to change their plans. That was very sad—for them. I think they have never quite forgiven us. To-morrow in the devastated districts I will show you