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

270 MILITARY LIFE.
" "
Oh, my God !
" Was n't that a. fine deed " ? " Have they given him the medal " ?
"They are doing so now."
" "
He will be happy, poor young fellow !
" I should think so ;
his comrades are so fond of him ;
his
superiors treat him like a son ; all respect and esteem him ;
and
he deserves it, he really deserves it ;
he is one of the best
soldiers in the regiment ;
there are few like him,
I can tell
you."
" But where is this soldier ?
"
" In a moment the colonel will call hirt) out of the line."
The colonel ceased speaking.
" Look
"
! look ! the orderly suddenly exclaimed, turning
the woman away from the regiment and pointing to the windows
in front.
" Look how many people are at the windows !
In a moment they will all clap their hands."
Meanwhile the soldier had stepped out of the line, come to
the colonel's side, facing the regiment, so that the woman in
turning toward the soldiers, could not see his face.
" Is that the soldier ?
"
" Yes."
" What are they doing now ?
"
" Don't you see The ? colonel is putting the medal on his
breast."
" Oh, holy Virgin
! how my heart beats for him. How
happy he must be, poor fellow ! Now what are they doing " ?
" Now the regiment is going to present arms."
"
Really
? " asked the woman in astonishment.
"
Certainly."