"
Dard burst out laughing.
"You goose!" said he, "that is sixty-six--look at it."
"Sixty-six!" roared the sergeant; "no more than yours is--they are both
sixty-sixes when you play tricks with them, and turn them up like that;
but they are both ninety-nines when you look at them fair."
Dard scratched his head.
"Come," said the corporal, briskly, "make up his bundle, girl, and let
us be off; we have got our marching orders; going to the Rhine."
"And do you think that I will let him go?" screamed Jacintha. "No! I
will say one word to Madame Raynal, and she will buy him a substitute
directly."
Dard stopped her sullenly. "No! I have told all in the village that I
would go the first chance: it is come, and I'll go. I won't stay to be
laughed at about this too. If I was sure to be cut in pieces, I'd go.
Give over blubbering, girl, and get us a bottle of the best wine, and
while we are drinking it, the sergeant and I, you make up my bundle. I
shall never do any good here."
Jacintha knew the obstinate toad. She did as she was bid, and soon
the little bundle was ready, and the two men faced the wine; La Croix,
radiant and bellicose; Dard, crestfallen but dogged (for there was a
little bit of good stuff at the bottom of the creature); and Jacintha
rocking herself, with her apron over her head.
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