Corsica.

General Petain said smiling that before the war he had sometimes
thought of women "as those who inspired the most beautiful ideas
in men and prevented them from carrying them out," but the war,
he added, had certainly proved conclusively the value of women's
work.

M. Forain expressed the desire to visit the chief French Hospital of
the Scottish Women at the Abbaye de Royaumont. The General
laughingly told him, "You do not realise how stern and devoted to
duty those ladies are. I wonder if you would be permitted to visit
them?"

I consoled M. Forain by pointing out that surely as chief Camoufler
(disguiser) of the French Army, he could disguise himself as a
model of virtue (de se camoufler en bon garcon). Certainly this son
of France, who has turned his brilliant intellect and his art to the
saving of men's lives, would be welcome anywhere and everywhere.
I hastened to assure him that I was only teasing him, and added
that I only teased the people I admired and liked. General Petain
immediately turned to the Commandant de Pulligny--"Please remark
that she has not yet teased me." "Probably because she fears
to do it, and has too much respect for you," replied the Commandant.
"Fears! I do not think we need talk of that just now, when she
dares to go to Verdun."

Whilst at coffee after lunch the news came of the continued
advance of the British troops. General Petain turned to me and
said, "You must indeed be proud in England of your new army.