Je pensais bien comme lui. — See note, page

Premier ban. — This and the next lines refer to the division into classes of those drawn in the conscription. The premier ban is the tirst class of the reserve.

46. Une . . deusse. — For une, deux ! The final x of deux is often heard (incorrectly) pronounced like ss to give it greater emphasis; this is

probably done by the illiterate to préserve the analogy with dix and six in which the x should be pronounced like ss whenever they stand alone.

47. Pauvres diables — Poor fellows. The word diable is very rrequently used idiomatically in familiar language without conveying the least idea of its Knglish équivalent; thus, bon diable, good fellovv.

Bras dessus bras dessous. — Arm in arm.