And besides one has a natural liking for a brave man, and this man was brave beyond question.
"You are from Orleans," he said respectfully enough, but as one asserting a fact, not asking a question.
"Yes," I answered, somewhat astonished, "Did you see us come in ?" "No, but I looked at your boots, gentlemen," he replied.

"White dust, north; red dust, south.

Do you see ?" "Yes, I see," I said, with admiration.

"You must have been brought up in a sharp school, M.Bure." "Sharp masters make sharp scholars," he replied, grinning.

And that answer I had occasion to remember afterwards.
"You are from Orleans, also ?" I asked, as we prepared to go in.
"Yes, from Orleans too, gentlemen.