Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/99

Rh time as she talked she fingered the modal. She greeted us warmly, but at first she seemed a trifle reluctant to speak of that unbearable occupation of her city by the Germans. As she went on, however, her gestures assumed a rapid and varied intensity. At times horror slumbered in her eyes, at others anger awakened them.

"There wasn't much bombardment," she began, verifying what the staff officer had said.

“The town was little hurt by that. Only sixty chasseur-à-pied held the bridge across the Mortagne. But, alas, they were too magnificent, for the Germans were so angry at their superb stand that they declared the old men of the town must have helped in the defence. They came in at nightfall—Bavarian troops who had fought hard and marched hard. It seemed that they were tired, and their general thought they should have a little relaxation. He issued orders that in Gerbéviller they were to do what they pleased."

She shook with disgust. She pointed from the window.

“They amused themselves. No bombardment could have been so complete. They used explosives, oil, all the inflammable material they could get their hands on. When a house was burning, they clustered about the cellar entrance to welcome the women and old men who had to come from