Chapter 28

           

           Pierre,havingdecidedthatuntilhehadcarriedouthisdesignhewoulddiscloseneitherhisidentitynorhisknowledgeofFrench,stoodatthehalf-opendoorofthecorridor,intendingtoconcealhimselfassoonastheFrenchentered.ButtheFrenchenteredandstillPierredidnotretire—anirresistiblecuriositykepthimthere.

           Thereweretwoofthem.Onewasanofficer—atall,soldierly,handsomeman—theotherevidentlyaprivateoranorderly,sunburned,short,andthin,withsunkencheeksandadullexpression.Theofficerwalkedinfront,leaningonastickandslightlylimping.Whenhehadadvancedafewstepshestopped,havingapparentlydecidedthattheseweregoodquarters,turnedroundtothesoldiersstandingattheentrance,andinaloudvoiceofcommandorderedthemtoputupthehorses.Havingdonethat,theofficer,liftinghiselbowwithasmartgesture,strokedhismustacheandlightlytouchedhishat.

           “Bonjour,lacompagnie!”*saidhegaily,smilingandlookingabouthim.

           *“Goodday,everybody!”

           Noonegaveanyreply.

           “Vousêteslebourgeois?”*theofficeraskedGerásim.

           *“Areyouthemasterhere?”

           Gerásimgazedattheofficerwithanalarmedandinquiringlook.

           “Quartier,quartier,logement!”saidtheofficer,lookingdownatthelittlemanwithacondescendingandgood-naturedsmile.“Lesfrançaissontdebonsenfants.Quediable!Voyons!Nenousfâchonspas,monvieux!”*addedhe,clappingthescaredandsilentGerásimontheshoulder.

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