à qtiatre pattes : on ail fours

52. C'étaient les épreuves du voyage qui commençaient : Thus legan the trials of his tour.

This sketch dates from the siège of Paris, which lasted from the middle of September, 1870 to the end of January, 1871. During that period Daudet remained in the city and formed one of the home-guard. His Contes du Lundis from which this sélection is taken, is made up mostly of war sketches.