with the deepest satisfaction, the most profound emotion, that I find myself in this great city of Lille on the day of liberation, and on behalf of the British Army, of which I am a humble representative, in spite of these ribbons which I wear on my somewhat expansive chest, I thank you from my heart, with the words, Vive la France!"
Here Fortune heaved a deep sigh, and looked like a Field Marshal while he waited for the roar of cheers which greeted his words. The mystical look on his face became intensified as he stood there, a fine heroic figure (a trifle stout, for lack of exercise), until he suddenly caught sight of a nice-looking girl in the crowd nearest to him, and gave her an elaborate wink, as much as to say, "You and I understand each other, my pretty one! Beneath this heroic pose I am really human."
The effect of that wink was instantaneous. The girl blushed vividly and giggled, while the crowd shouted with laughter.
"Quel numéro! Quel drôle de type!" said a man by my side.
Only the four gentleman of the Town Hall, who had resumed their top-hats, looked perplexed at this grotesque contrast between the heroic speech (it had sounded heroic) and its anti-climax.
Fortune took me by the arm as I edged my way close to him.
"My dear fellow, it was unbelievable when those four old birds sang 'Tipperary' with bared heads. I had to stand at the salute while they sang three verses with tears in their eyes. They have been learning it during four years of war. Think of that! And think of what's happening in Ireland—in Tipperary—now! There's some paradox here which contains all the comedy and pathos of this war. I must think it out. I can't quite get at it yet, but I feel it from afar."
