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Updated: May 15, 2025
He was shocked to see that more than half of his machine-gun crew already were dead or wounded. Now the German artillery, which he could not see, began shelling the French positions. A shell exploded in the trench occupied by his comrades, and Mattia was hurled violently into the communicating trench. "When the smoke had cleared away Mattia ran forward.
Keep near the same door by which you enter. Climb the small hill on the left. We'll be there. Keep your courage up; above all, jump well forward and fall on your feet." Saved! I should not appear before the Assizes! Good Mattia, dear old Bob! How good of Bob to help Mattia, for Mattia, poor little fellow, could not have done this alone. I re-read the note.
But Bob's dye was an excellent quality and when we had finished he was still yellow, but a shade paler. It would require many shampoos before we could get him back to his original color. Fortunately Normandy is a country of brooks and each day we gave him a bath. We reached the top of a hill one morning and Mattia spied the Seine away ahead of us, winding in a large curve.
"It is because they were peddlers that they could get those things cheaper." Mattia whistled, but he shook his head, then again he whispered: "You're not that Driscoll's baby, but you're the baby that Driscoll stole!" I was about to reply but he had already climbed up into his bed.
I took my harp and, wishing to impress him, I sang the famous canzonette. Then, as it should be between artists, he complimented me. He had great talent. We were worthy of each other. I buckled my knapsack and Mattia, in turn, hoisted it on his shoulders. We had to stop at the first village to give a performance. It was to be the "First appearance of Remi's Company."
"Why, the youngster's a prodigy!" cried M. Espinassous in rapture; "if you will stay here with me I'll make you a great musician. In the mornings you shall learn to shave my customers and the rest of the day you shall study music. Don't think, because I'm a barber, I don't know music. One has to live!" I looked at Mattia. What was he going to reply? Was I to lose my friend, my chum, my brother?
They must be strong and they must be old enough to stand the terrible strain. "'I care not for that. I want to fight, replied Mattia with determination. 'I am strong and I can endure as long as can the men. I know, for I have worked with men. Where shall I eat and sleep?
Out of the whole family, for whom I had felt so much affection when I had landed in England, there was only baby Kate who would let me fondle her, and she turned from me coldly if I had not candy or an orange in my pocket for her. Although I would not listen to what Mattia had said at first, gradually, little by little, I began to wonder if I did really belong to this family.
It took us nearly three months to do this journey, but when at last we reached the outskirts of Varses we found that we had indeed employed our time well. In my leather purse I now had one hundred and twenty-eight francs. We were only short of twenty-two francs to buy Mother Barberin's cow. Mattia was almost as pleased as I, and he was very proud that he had contributed his part to such a sum.
During this time I explained to Uncle Gaspard that Mattia was my friend and partner, and that he played the cornet better than any one. "And there's Monsieur Capi," said Uncle Gaspard; "you'll be rested to-morrow, so you can entertain us, for it's Sunday. Alexix says that that dog is cleverer than a schoolmaster and a comedian combined."
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