"You di'n' know abboud those? Ah, well, tha'z maybe biccause we don'
speak of them biffo' those ladies Chapdelaine. An' still tha'z droll
you di'n' know that, but tha'z maybe biccause each one he's think
another he's tol' you, and biccause tha'z not a prettie cheerful
subjec', eh? Yes, they are two son' of Dubroca and Castanado,
soldier', and two of De l'Isle and me, aviateur'."
"And up to a few weeks ago they were all well?"
"Ah, not well--one wounded, one h'arm broke, one trench-fivver, but all
safe, laz' account."
"Tell me more about them, Beloiseau. You know I don't easily ask
personal questions. Tell me all I'm welcome to know, will you?"
"I want to do that--to tell you all; but"--M. Ducatel, next neighbor
above, was approaching--"better another time--ah, Rene, tha'z a pretty
warm evening, eh?"