He was followed by a girl whose face was almost hidden behind a partly-turned-back motor veil.

The greater number are Frenchmen, droves of those long blue turned-back overcoats and red trousers, flowing sluggishly between the rows of low barracks, Frenchmen of every sort of training and temperament, swept here like dust by the war into common anonymity.

It was always very plain as to line, and simple as to cut, having a skirt neither full nor scant, a waist crossed in front with a white fichu, and sleeves reaching just below the elbow with white turn-back cuffs.

"Don't you realize that I passed the turning-back stage long ago.

Their blue coats with the turned-back flaps were war-worn and flaked with the dust of long marches.