The children had been well rehearsed, for even as
Valmond arrived upon the scene, Lagroin and Parpon on either side of him,
the mock Valmond was bidding the drummer: "Play up the feet of the army!"
The crowd parted on either side, silenced and awed by the look of
potential purpose in the face of this yesterday's hero. The old
sergeant's glance was full of fury, Parpon's of a devilish sort of glee.
Valmond approached the lads.
"My children," he said kindly, "you have not learned your lesson well
enough. You shall be taught." He took the paper caps from their heads.
"I will give you better caps than these." He took the hobby-horse, the
drum, and the tin swords. "I will give you better things than these."
He put the caps on the ground, added the toys to the heap, and Parpon,
stooping, lighted the paper. Scattering money among the crowd, and
giving some silver to the lads, Valmond stood looking at the bonfire for
a moment, and then, pointing to it dramatically, said:
"My friends, my brothers, Frenchmen, we will light larger fires than
these. Your young Seigneur sought to do me honour this afternoon.
I thank him, and he shall have proof of my affection in due time.
And now our good landlord's wine is free to you, for one goblet each.
My children," he added, turning to the little mockers, "come to me
to-morrow and I will show you how to be soldiers. My General shall
teach you what to do, and I will teach you what to say.
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