It was Boche who, standing up in an affected and vulgar way, was commencing to sing "The Volcano of Love, or the Seductive Trooper." A thunder of applause greeted the first verse.

Yes, yes, they would sing songs! Everyone in turn.

It was more amusing than anything else.

And they all put their elbows on the table or leant back in their chairs, nodding their heads at the best parts and sipping their wine when they came to the choruses.

That rogue Boche had a special gift for comic songs.