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The four women walked in front and the three men followed them a little behind. Loiseau, who understood the situation very clearly, inquired suddenly whether that "wench" was going to keep them much longer in such a place. The Count, always courteous, realized that they could not expect such a painful sacrifice from a woman, and that the offer should originate from her.
Loiseau, in his corner, was hard at work, and in low tones urged his wife to follow his example. She held out for a long time, but overstrained Nature gave way at last. Her husband, assuming his politest manner, asked their "charming companion" if he might be allowed to offer Madame Loiseau a small helping. "Why, certainly, sir," she replied, with an amiable smile, holding out the dish.
He rose, reached the door, and repeating: "Infamous!" disappeared. A chill fell on all. Loiseau himself looked foolish and disconcerted for a moment, but soon recovered his aplomb, and, writhing with laughter, exclaimed: "Really, you are all too green for anything!" Pressed for an explanation, he related the "mysteries of the corridor," whereat his listeners were hugely amused.
The men sought food in the farmhouses beside the road, but could not find so much as a crust of bread; for the suspicious peasant invariably hid his stores for fear of being pillaged by the soldiers, who, being entirely without food, would take violent possession of everything they found. About one o'clock Loiseau announced that he positively had a big hollow in his stomach.
The wealthiest were seized with the worst panic and saw themselves forced, if they valued their lives, to empty bags of gold into the rapacious hands of this soldier. They racked their brains for plausible lies to dissemble their riches, to pass themselves off as poor very poor. Loiseau pulled off his watch-chain and hid it in his pocket. As night fell their apprehensions increased.
The approaching night filled them with apprehension. The lamp was lighted, and as they still had fully two hours before dinner, Madame Loiseau proposed a game of "trente-et-un." That would be a diversion. They accepted. Even Cornudet, having put out his pipe, joined the party out of politeness.
She remained upright, her eyes motionless, her face rigid and pale, hoping that the others would not notice her. But the Countess noticed it and called her husband's attention with a sign. He shrugged his shoulders, as if to say: "What can I do? It is not my fault!" Madame Loiseau had a silent laugh of triumph and muttered: "She is weeping for shame!"
The French aeronautical section of the military department devoted considerable study to this subject, but found the problem almost insurmount able. Monsieur Loiseau met with the greatest measure of success, and his system is being practised in the present campaign. This principle is essentially adapted to tractor aeroplanes. Forward of the pilot a special position is reserved for the gunner.
In addition to this unsavory reputation, Loiseau was famous for his various practical jokes, his good or bad tricks; and nobody could mention his name without adding immediately: "Loiseau is merciless; he spares nobody!" Undersized, he had a balloon shaped stomach surmounted by a florid face between a pair of grayish whiskers.
Loiseau began to speak: "Well, by Jove! in cases like this, we are all brothers and sisters and must help each other. Come, ladies, no ceremony! accept what is offered; what the devil! do we even know whether we are going to find a house to shelter us during the night? At the rate at which we are traveling, we shall not be in Totes before to-morrow noon."
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