human
It's too beastly disgusting, he declared to his chief confidant, having managed in his mother's presence to restrain his regrets.
gpt
That old beast of a Boney! I wish I could shoot him!
human
Roy, you must be more careful; walls have ears in France. If you abuse the First Consul, you will some day get yourself into serious trouble. This is not a land of free speech, like England. Your father and I could do little for you if you fell into the hands of the gendarmes. We are prisoners ourselves.
gpt
But isn't it hateful? Only think--if I'm kept on here for two years I sha'n't be able to go into the Army directly I'm sixteen.
human
We may have peace long before three years are over. No use to look forward so long.
gpt
He hasn't any right to keep me. I've a right to go home.
human
I'm afraid the First Consul cares little for any man's rights, except his own. But you must be brave and not give way. Think of your mother, not of yourself. We are all sufferers together. And, after all, the passport may arrive later. You could return home from Verdun, though it would be a longer journey. It will not do for us to delay starting any more. We have barely allowed ourselves time to reach Verdun by the latest day specified.
gpt
Den, don't you want to go home?
human
Sometimes I would give my right hand to get away, he confessed.
gpt
Yes, I want it--more than you can know, perhaps. But these things do not come of themselves. They are allowed, for some good purpose.
human
You don't mean that God wants Napoleon to behave in such a way?
gpt
No; certainly not. But it may be His will that you and I should have this opportunity to be patient and brave. It's a great trouble for both of us--no use to deny that. And to be brave in captivity is much harder than to be brave in fighting. But it will come to an end in time. Napoleon will not be allowed to go on always unchecked.
human
I suppose he is angry because he can't make England do whatever he chooses, as he makes Germany and Prussia and Austria and all the other countries. And so he punishes _us_.
gpt
That may be it. My own belief is that Britain is called upon to save all Europe from a hopeless thraldom, and that in time we shall see her successful. But we may have to wait a while first. Only, while we wait, we mustn't forget that God really is over all. He sometimes lets bad men have their way for a time, but in the end truth and justice and freedom will conquer.
human
I don't think mamma is sorry that I'm going to Verdun,
gpt
She is sorry for your sake, not for her own. That is much what I feel about it.
human
Would you have been sorry? Would you have missed me?
gpt
Much more than you can imagine. I have been wondering what I should do with myself without my friend Roy.
human
Den, am I your friend truly? Do you like to have me? He clutched the young Guardsman's arm, with a quick gesture.
gpt
Would you be sorry if I went? He read a plain answer in the other's face.
human
Oh, then I don't mind, then I'll be glad I haven't got a passport. I don't care, if you like to have me. I thought I was just a bother.
gpt
I'm not so selfish as to wish to keep you here, and if a passport comes I shall be glad. But you have been no bother. It is bad enough anyhow, going to Verdun. It would be ten times worse if we were leaving you behind. You are the one bit of cheer left to us.
human
I'm glad. I'd rather be your friend than anybody's. And I promise to work hard and to do whatever you like. Then, in the same breath,
gpt
How soon shall we see Mademoiselle de St. Roques?
human
I have had a letter from her. That is one little piece of good news. I wrote to ask if she could recommend us where to go for rooms, and she tells me that the old people with whom she lives would be glad to let the upstairs floors. She promises that they would do their best to make us comfortable, and suggests that we should go there on our first arrival, to try how we like the accommodation.
gpt
And shall we?
human
Your father seems willing. Even if it does not do for a permanency, we shall have time to look out. But probably it will do very well. Prisoners must not be over particular.
gpt
And are the people she lives with _noblesse_ too? asked Roy, who had heard a good deal about the old French _noblesse_ and their sufferings in the Revolution, during the last few months.
human
Will they wait upon us? It would be funny to have an old nobleman handing the plates at table.
gpt
No; I think M. and Mme. Courant are _bourgeois_. But evidently they have been very good to Mademoiselle de St. Roques, whose parents really did belong to the old _noblesse_. Probably they may keep a servant to wait upon us, and we must not mind if things are rather rough.
human
I shall like to see her again. But I would rather go home to Molly--much rather! murmured Roy, his face falling.
gpt
Except for staying with you and the others.