He knew that the man would not hear him, but he was so exultant that he wanted to say something, to shout to him, or in the slang of his own land, to let off steam.
But while the English aviator could not understand the words the gestures were clear to him, and he waved a hand in friendly fashion.
Then, wheeling in a fine circle, he came back by their side as an escort.
The _Arrow_, like a bird, folding its wings, sank gracefully into the meadow, and Lannes, hastily jumping out, asked John to look after the aeroplane.

Then he rushed toward a group of officers, among whom he recognized the chief of the army.
John himself disembarked stiffly, and stretched his limbs, while several young Englishmen looked at him curiously.

He had learned long since how to deal with Englishmen, that is to take no notice of them until they made their presence known, and then to acquiesce slowly and reluctantly in their existence.

So, he took short steps back and forth on the grass, flexing and tensing his muscles, as abstractedly as if he were alone on a desert island.
"I say," said a handsome fair young man at last, "would you mind telling us, old chap, where you come from ?" John continued to stretch his muscles and took several long and deep breaths.

After the delay he turned to the fair young man and said: "Beg pardon, but did you speak to me ?" The Englishman flushed a little and pulled at his yellow mustache.