across the ocean. They came over and saved all our lives, and France.

_Angélique_. (_Surprised_.) Did they save my life, Jean-B'tiste?

_Jean-Baptiste_. Little _drôle_. You weren't born.

_Angélique_. Oh! Whose life did they then save? Maman's?

_Jean-Baptiste_. But no. She was not born either.

_Angélique_. Whose life, then--the grandfather's?

_Jean-Baptiste_. But--even he was not born. (_Disconcerted by
Angélique's direct tactics_.) One sees they could not save the lives of
people who were not here. But--they were brave--but yes--and friends to
France. And they came across the ocean to fight for France. Big, strong
young soldiers in brown uniforms--the grandfather told me about it
yesterday. I know it all. His father told him, and he was here. In this
field. (_Jean-Baptiste looks about the meadow, where the wind blows
flowers and wheat._) There was a large battle--a fight very immense. It
was not like this then. It was digged over with ditches and the soldiers
stood in the ditches and shot at the wicked Germans in the other
ditches. Lots and lots of soldiers died.

_Angélique_. (_Lips trembling_.) Died--in ditches?

_Jean-Baptiste_. (_Grimly._) Yes, it is true.

_Angélique_. (_Breaks into sobs._) I can't bear you to tell me that. I
can't bear the soldiers to--die--in ditches.