well for France." For one glorious moment he was part of the hosts
of France and in spirit serving his Motherland. It is that spirit of the
French nation that their enemies will never understand.

On one occasion a young German officer, covered with mud from
head to foot, was brought before one of the French Generals. He
had been taken fighting cleanly, and the General was anxious to
show him kindness. He asked him if he would not prefer to cleanse
himself before examination. The young German drew himself up
and replied: "Look at me, General. I am covered from head to foot
with mud, and that mud is the soil of France--you will never
possess as much soil in Germany." The General turned to him
with that gentle courtesy which marks the higher commands in
France and answered: "Monsieur, we may never possess as
much soil in Germany, but there is something that you will never
possess, and, until you conquer it, you cannot vanquish France,
and that is the spirit of the French people."

The French find it difficult to understand the arrogance which
appears ingrained in the German character and which existed
before the War.

I read once that in the guests' book of a French hotel a Teutonic
visitor wrote:

"L'AIlemagne est la premiere nation du monde."

The next French visitor merely added:

"Yes, 'Allemagne is the first country of the world' if we take them in