He did not know whether she could see it, nor if, seeing, could she surmise what it meant, but he hoped vaguely that something might come of it.

In any event, it was a relief to his feelings and it brought hope.
After the signal he forgot to put the cap on his head, but stood with it dangling in his hand.
"Hey, you fool!" said a rough German voice, "why do you stand there staring, with your cap in your hand, and your head bare, inviting the quick death of pneumonia that an idiot like you deserves ?" Although the voice was rough it was not unkindly, and as John came out of his dreams and wheeled about he saw again the rubicund face of Sergeant Scheller.
"I was looking at the hotel," he replied with perfect composure, as he replaced his cap, "and I saw one of our great generals pass in at the door.

At least I thought him such by his uniform, and taking off my cap to honor him I forgot to put in back again." Scheller burst into a roar.
"Why, it's our Castel once more!" he exclaimed.

"Good, honest, simple, patriotic Castel! You can take off your cap when a general passes, but you needn't keep it off after he's gone." "I thought it might be our great Kaiser himself." "I don't think he's in Metz, although he may be near, but your act does credit to your loyalty, Castel." John glanced up at the window.

Julie was gone and the twilight was coming over city and fortress.