I am sixty years old, and yet I have the curiosity to know where I am going and what I am expected to do when I get there.

Behold how I, an old man, speak so frankly to you, so young." "When I saw your excellency leap into the saddle you did not seem to me to be more than twenty." John called him "your excellency" because he thought that in the absence of precise knowledge of what was fitting the term was as good as another.
A smile twinkled in the eyes of General Vaugirard.

Evidently he was pleased.
"That is flattery, flattery, young man," he said, "but it pleases me.
Since I've drawn from you all you know, which is but little, you may fall back with your comrades.

But keep near; I fancy I shall have much for you to do before long.

Meanwhile, we march on, in ignorance of what is awaiting us.