Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

THE CONSCRIPT.
Ilg
" From your home ? If people from your place are all of
your stamp, it is to be hoped that you are the only one in the
regiment."
And shrugging his shoulders he moved off.
" "
What manners ! the conscript murmured sadly, looking at
him as he went away.
" Yet they certainly told me that he is
here," he added, seating himself again.
" But why do they
treat us so ? What are we ? Are we dogs
? And we have to
lead five years of this life Oh, ! . . . it is too much ! too
"
much ! and he covered his face with his hands and. thought
" "
of his distant family. If they could see me in this state !
" "
he said to himself ; poor people
!
He was startled by a burst of laughter at the end of the
court ;
raised his eyes and saw three soldiers of the guard
who were looking at him and laughing and talking.
" " Oh, what a great blockhead " ! the three began saying. He
is in love. He is thinking of his sweetheart. Where have you
left her ? tell us. Poor thing, she has certainly found some
way of consoling herself by this time. Look, look, what eyes
you are "
making And then all three exclaimed in one ! voice,
"
in the tone of a priest who is saying mass : Oh, what a blockhead
"
!
The poor young fellow turned pale ; they had touched him
to the quick ;
he could not control himself any longer ;
he
rose. . . .
" Who is this man in love ? " the officer of the guard said
to himself, going to the window with his newspaper in his hand.
The soldiers saw him and fled ;
the conscript raised his anxious
face to the window and looked at him. The officer looked at
the soldier too, and seeing him give a sign of attention, then