They were very patient and very brave. Even when they found that
it was impossible to get one more human being on or one more package
into the already crowded train they turned away in quiet grief, and when
women wept over their babies it was silently and without abandonment to
despair. The women of France are brave, God knows. I have seen their
courage during the past ten days--gallantry surpassing that of the men,
because of their own children in their arms without shelter, food, or
safety in this terrible flight from the advancing enemy.
Enormous herds of cattle were being driven into Paris. For miles the
roads were thronged with them; and down other roads away from Paris
families were trekking to far fields with their household goods piled
into bullock carts, pony carts, and wheelbarrows.
Two batteries of artillery were stationed by the line, and a regiment of
infantry was hiding in the hollows of the grassy slopes. Their outposts
were scanning the horizon, and it was obvious that the Germans were
expected at this point in order to cut the last way of escape from the
capital.
One of the enemy's aeroplanes flew above our heads, circled around, and
then disappeared. It dropped no bombs and was satisfied with its
reconnoissance.
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