In the Forest
61
—What's this man come for?
They answer kindly and civilly:
—Good evening, sir!
—What are you doing in the forest? Why didn't you stay near the "point"?
—It's exposed there, sir, it's cold. It's warmer in the forest. Look at the children.
—Are they very ill?
—They get wet and cold, and then they die.
—The ground is as cold as iron. And they're barefoot.
The children of the refugees are their most precious possession. They grieve most of all for the children. But the children are almost without clothing.
The peasant men are warmly clad. Almost every one has a warm coat.
The women are all right. They're muffled up somehow.
But the children. . . .
