But Jan shook his head: 6I have no idea, yet
something tells me that Christophe speaks the truth.'
Then, fearing that his words had sounded absurd, 'Will
mon Colonel wear his new boots to-morrow? If so I
think I will soften the backs.5

cHe has quietly closed the door in my face;5 thought
Prevost. Aloud he said: 'Yes, the new boots. By the
way, your cousin is a very good groom.5

I am glad that he contents you, mon Colonel; we
both very much wish to content you/ Jan answered.

§4

There was only one drawback to Colonel Prevost's
service: it did not seem to be leading to the Front.
Jan would think: cWe might as well be in Saint Loup,
time is going on yet here we remain — dare I ask him
about it?5 And suddenly he dared: 'Mon Colonel,
forgive me, but is there no chance of our getting out?
I thought, I had hoped. . . .'

Colonel Prevost looked up from his desk: This
is June and you two are now due for leave. Well, your
leave has been stopped — think that over, Roustan.'

6It means . . . ah, mon Colonel, it means . . .?'

cThat I am not quite done for yet,' smiled the
Colonel. Then he bundled some papers into a heap,
rose briskly, fondled his tiny moustache, and after a
minute dismissed his batman.

It was in July that the orders arrived. Colonel
Prevost sent for his servants one morning and he said:
'I am ordered to Palestine; it has been arranged that
you two shall come with me. Roustan3 you must see
to my kit at once, please; and I want you to get back
to the stables, Benedit, and make out a list of my
saddlery. I shall not be taking the horses, of course,
452