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

68 MILITARY LIFE.
and laughed and cried at once, not being
able to find words
with which to return thanks, or if
they found them they could
not utter them, but tried by signs to say : " It is too much,
too much ! We do not deserve all this ! Our hearts cannot
"
bear it !
As we approached the
gate by which we were to go out, the
crowd began to thin and the soldiers fell slowly
into line.
The gate through which we were to pass is called by the
people of Padua the Portello. We were accompanied
to the
limit by many citizens, the majority, gentlemen, mixed with the
soldiers, arm in arm with them, and all
engaged in a lively,
noisy, rapid, and broken conversation ;
for after the first outburst
of enthusiasm, which had only found vent in tears and
cries, there had followed a great desire for words, a thousand
questions and
protestations, they interrupting themselves from
time to time to look well in each other's faces, with a smile
"
that meant : Is this really an Italian soldier whom I have
on my arm " " Are we ! really here in the midst of the blessed
"
Paduans ! And here a long pressure of the hand and a reciprocal
shake of the arm, which " signified
: You are here ;
I feel you ;
I shall not let you escape." In that half hour
which was employed in crossing the city, many friendships
were made, many promises to write were exchanged, many
propositions to meet on the return were made, and meetings
arranged and noted down in the pocket-books with names and
addresses.
" "
You will write me first ! "I the first. As soon
as we arrive in camp."
" " "
You promise me ? Yes, I promise
you."
Then another warm pressure of the hand, another
shake of the arm, and the regiment approaches the gate, the
dialogues become warmer and noisier, the gestures more ex-